BOOK I.

THE

DISCOVERY OF A NEW WORLD;

OR,

A DISCOURSE

TENDING TO PROVE, THAT (IT IS PROBABLE) THERE MAY BE ANOTHER

HABITABLE WORLD IN THE MOON.

WITH

A DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE POSSIBILITY OF A PASSAGE THITHER.

VOL I.

TO

THE READER.

I F amongst thy leisure hours, thou canst spare any for the perusal of this Discourse, and dost look to find somewhat in it which may serve for thy information and benefit ; let me then advise thee to come unto it with an equal mind, not swayed by prejudice, but indifferently resolved to assent unto that truth which upon deliberation shall seem most probable unto thy reason; and then I doubt not, but either thou wilt agree with me in this assertion, or at least not think it to be as far from truth, as it is from common opinion.

Two cautions there are, which I would willingly admonish thee of in the beginning :

1. That thou shouldst not here look to find an exact accurate treatise; since this discourse was but the fruit of some lighter studies, and those too huddled up in a short time; being first thought of and finished in the space of some few weeks; and therefore you cannot in reason expect that it should be so polished, as perhaps the subject would require, or the leisure of the author might have done it.

2. To remember that I promise only probable arguments for the proof of this opinion; and therefore you must not look that every consequence should be of an undeniable dependance; or that the truth of each argument should be measured by its necessity. I grant, that some astronomical appearances may possibly be solved otherwise than here they are: but the thing I aim at is this: that probably. they may so be solved, as I have here set them down. Which, if it be granted (as I think it must) then I doubt not, but the indifferent reader will find some satisfaction in the main thing that is to be proved.

Many ancient philosophers of the better note have for merly defended this assertion which I have here laid down; and it were to be wished, that some of us would more apply our endeavours unto the examination of these old opinions; which, though they have for a long time lain neglected by others, yet in them you may find many truths well worthy your pains and observation. It is a false conceit, for us to think that amongst the ancient variety and search of opinions, the best hath still prevailed. Time (saith the learned Verulam) seems to be of the nature of a river or stream; which carrieth down to us that which is light, or blown up, but sinketh that which is weighty and solid.

It is my desire, that by the occasion of this discourse, I may raise up some more active spirit to a search after other hidden and unknown truths: since it must needs be a great impediment unto the growth of sciences, for men still to plod on upon beaten principles, as to be afraid of entertaining any thing that may seem to contradict them. An unwil lingness to take such things into examination is one of those errors of learning, in these times observed by the judicious Verulam. Questionless there are many secret truths which the ancients have passed over, that are yet left to make some of our age famous for their discovery.

If by this occasion I may provoke any reader to an attempt of this nature, I shall think myself happy, and this Work successful.

Farewell.

1

BOOK 1.

THAT THE MOON MAY BE A WORLD.

PROP. I.

BY WAY OF PREFACE.

That the strangeness of this opinion is no sufficient reason why it should be rejected; because other certain truths have been formerly esteemed ridiculous, and great absurdities entertained by common consent.

THE

HERE is an earnestness and hungering after novelty, which doth still adhere unto all our natures; and it is part of that primitive image, that wide extent and infinite capacity at first created in the heart of man. For this, since its depravation in Adam, perceiving itself altogether emptied of any good, doth now catch after every new thing, conceiving that possibly it may find satisfaction among some of its fellow creatures. But our enemy the devil (who strives still to pervert our gifts, and beat us with our own weapons) hath so contrived it, that any truth doth now seem distasteful for that very reason, for which error is entertained; novelty. For let but some upstart heresy be set abroach, and presently there are some out of a curious humour; others, as if they watched an occasion of singularity, will take it up for canonical, and make it part of their creed and profession; whereas solitary truth cannot anywhere find so ready entertainment; but the same novelty which is esteemed the commendation of error, and makes that acceptable, is counted the fault of truth, and causes that to be rejected.