This sort of Reasoning, though some perhaps may neglect it, I am perswaded you will look upon as abundantly sufficient for Things out of the Reach of Science to determine; and that the collective Body of Stars have not been discovered, to be together a proper Subject for such Conjectures before, can surely only proceed from the Want of Time, necessary to compleat the Observations proper for a Foundation to build such an Hypothesis, or Theory upon. This is the great Article in which the Moderns have so much, and ever will have, an Advantage over the Antients. And hence it will appear, That The Improvements and Discoveries of latter Ages are not at all owing to the greater Capacity of the Moderns, but from the Advantages received, or arising from the Inventions and Progress made by the Ancients. We at first in a manner walked by their Leading-strings, and though many of them now are broke, or useless, none can deny, but that formerly they were of great Advantage in promoting and directing philosophical Enquiries. In an Assembly of the most eminent Men of all Ages, if we may suppose such a Conference amongst the illustrious Dead, on Purpose to deliver their several Sentiments familiarly together, on the most interesting Subjects of natural Knowledge, who would not lament the Disadvantages, poor old _Thales_, an _Hipparchus_, or a _Ptolomy_, would lie under, who had nothing but the Eye of Reason to direct them, in Opposition to the Judgment of a _Brahe_, or a _æ_, who reaped so much Benefit from their compound Opticks? But on the other hand, perhaps if the solar System, was the Topic of Discourse, a [H]_Pythagorean_ might very pertinently say to a _Newtonian_, "You have not gone much farther in the Light with our Direction, than we did in the Dark alone; for you are still roving round the same Circles." Much might be said upon this Head; but I believe it would be a difficult Matter to do Justice to all Parties: So here I intend to leave them, only must observe, that Posterity will always have the Advantage over their Predecessors; and that After-ages, in all Probability, will reap so great a Benefit from the Invention and Improvement of Fluxions, that scarce any thing, which is the immediate Object of such Enquiry, will long lie concealed from a true mathematical Genius. [Footnote H: The true System of the Planets have been discovered above two thousand Years.] For this, in which he has surpassed all the Antients, and greatly advanced the philosophical Sciences, the World is indebted to Sir _Isaac Newton_.