When we reflect upon the various Aspects, and perpetual Changes of the Planets, both with regard to their[AP] heliocentric and geocentric Motion, we may readily imagine, that nothing but a like eccentric Position of the Stars could any way produce such an apparently promiscuous Difference in such otherwise regular Bodies. And that in like manner, as the Planets would, if viewed from the Sun, there may be one Place in the Universe to which their Order and primary Motions must appear most regular and most beautiful. Such a Point, I may presume, is not unnatural to be supposed, altho' hitherto we have not been able to produce any absolute Proof of it. See _Plate_ XXV. [Footnote AP: Not to mention their several Conjunctions and Apulces to fixed Stars, &_c._ see the State of the Heavens in 1662, _December_ the first, when all the known Planets were in one Sign of the Zodiac, _viz._ _Sagittarius_.] This is the great Order of Nature, which I shall now endeavour to prove, and thereby solve the Phænomena of the _Via Lactea_; and in order thereto, I want nothing to be granted but what may easily be allowed, namely, that the _Milky Way_ is formed of an infinite Number of small Stars. Let us imagine a vast infinite Gulph, or Medium, every Way extended like a Plane, and inclosed between two Surfaces, nearly even on both Sides, but of such a Depth or Thickness as to occupy a Space equal to the double Radius, or Diameter of the visible Creation, that is to take in one of the smallest Stars each Way, from the middle Station, perpendicular to the Plane's Direction, and, as near as possible, according to our Idea of their true Distance.