ſlow and [Men chiefly differ from Beaſts in the Study of Nature.] laborious Progreſſion. What is it then after all that ſets human Reaſon above all other, and makes us preferable to the reſt of the Animal World? Nothing in my Mind ſo much as the Contemplation of the Works of God, and the Study of Nature, and the improving thoſe Sciences which may bring us to ſome knowledge in their Beauty and Variety. For without Knowledge what would be Contemplation? And what difference is there between a Man, who with a careleſs ſupine Negligence views the Beauty and Uſe of the Sun, and the fine golden Furniture of the Heaven, and one who with a learned Niceneſs ſearches into their Courſes; who underſtands wherein the Fix’d Stars, as they are call’d, differ from the Planets, and what is the Reaſon of the regular Viciſſitude of the Seaſons; who by ſound Reaſoning can meaſure the Magnitude and Diſtance of the Sun and Planets? Or between ſuch a one as admires perhaps the nimble Activity and ſtrange Motions of ſome Animals, and one that knows their whole Structure, underſtands the whole Fabrick and Architecture of their Compoſition? If therefore the Principle we before laid down be true, that the other Planets are not inferiour in Dignity to ours, [They have Aſtronomy.] what follows but that they have Creatures not to ſtare and wonder at the Works of Nature only, but who employ their Reaſon in the Examination and Knowledge of them, and have made as great Advances therein as we have? They do not only view the Stars, but they improve the Science of Aſtronomy: nor is there any thing can make us think this improbable, but that fond Conceitedneſs of every Thing that we call our own, and that Pride that is too natural to us to be eaſily laid down. But I know ſome will ſay, we are a little too bold in theſe Aſſertions of the Planets, and that we mounted hither by many Probabilities, one of which, if it chance to be falſe, and contrary to our Suppoſition, would, like a bad Foundation, ruin the whole Building, and make it fall to the Ground. But I would have them to know, that all I have ſaid of their Knowledge in Aſtronomy, has Proofs enough, antecedent to thoſe we now produced. For ſuppoſing the Earth, as we did, one of the Planets of equal Dignity and Honour with the reſt, who would venture to ſay, that no where elſe were to be found any that enjoy’d the glorious Sight of Nature’s Theatre? Or if there were any Fellow-Spectators, yet we were the only ones that had dived deep into the Secrets and Knowledge of it? So that here’s a Proof not ſo far fetch’d for the Aſtronomy of the Planets, the ſame which we uſed for their having rational Creatures, and enjoying the other Advantages we before talk’d of, which ſerves at the ſame time for the Confirmation of our former Conjectures. But if Amazement and Fear at the Eclipſes of the Moon and Sun gave the firſt occaſion to the Study of Aſtronomy, as probably they did, then it’s almoſt impoſſible that Jupiter and Saturn