Wilkins, John - A discovery of a new world : or a discourse tending to prove, that 'tis probable there may be another Habitable World in the Moon ; with a discourse concerning the Probability of a Passage thither; unto which is added, a discourse concerning a New Planet, tending to prove, that 'tis probable our earth is one of the Planets

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4836That the Moon may be a World. Heavens be of one Thickneſs, and the Element
of Fire another, and the upper Region of Air
diſtinct from both theſe, and the Lower Re-
gion ſeveral from all the reſt, there would
then be ſuch a Multiplicity of Refractions, as
muſt neceſſarily deſtroy the Certainty of all
Aſtronomical Obſervations. All which In-
conveniences might be avoided, by ſuppoſing
(as we do) that there is only one Orb of Va-
porous Air which encompaſſes our Earth, all
the reſt being Æthereal, and of the ſame per-
ſpicuity.

2. The Scituation of this Element does no
112. way agree with Ariſtotle's own Principles ;
or that common Providence of Nature, which
we may diſcern in ordinary Matters. For if
the Heavens be without all Elementary Qua-
lities, as is uſually ſuppoſed, then it would be
a very incongruous thing for the Element of
Fire to be placed immediately next unto it:
Since the Heat of this is the moſt Powerful
and Vigorous Quality that is amongſt all the
reſt ; And Nature in her other Works, does
not join Extreams, but by ſomething of a mid-
dle Diſpoſition. So in every Frame of our
Bodies, the Bones which are of a hard Sub-
ſtance, and the Fleſh of a ſoft, are not joined
together but by the Interceſſion of Membranes
and Griſſels, ſuch as being of a middle Na-
ture may fitly come betwixt.

3. ’Tis not conceivable for what Uſe or Be-
223. nefit there ſhould be any ſuch Elements in that
Place, and certain it is, that Nature does not
do any thing in Vain.

4. Betwixt two Extreams there can be but
334.

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