II. UPON Natural _Knowledge_; insomuch that it is the Opinion of all Judicious _Naturalists_ (either _Philosophers_ or _Physicians_) that this _inferiour World_ is moved and govern’d by _superiour Bodys_, and that all _Terrestrial Vicissitudes_ and _Changes_ depend upon _Cælestials_, and those chiefly upon the SUN and MOON: which both possess great _influential Virtues_, and exercise great directing _Powers_ over all _Inferiour Bodys_. From hence the _Antients_ always maintain’d, that the _Periodical Accessions_ and _Circulations_ of many DISTEMPERS depended entirely on their noxious _Influences_; especially upon that of the Moon, because of her _Proximity_. NAY, some _Authors_ have advanced so far, as to ascribe the only _Cause_ of them to the _Powers_ of the STARS and PLANETS. But tho’ I am no ways to countenance _These Notions_ to this ridiculous Length, nor in the least to defend the vain _Fictions_, or foolish _Ostentations_ of the vulgar _ASTROLOGERS_; yet I shall make no scruple to assert that both the STARS and PLANETS are concurring or co-operating, tho not sole _efficient Causes_, in these _Cases_: And This, I hope, I may rationally be allow’d to do, supposing I had not the direct _Authority_ of such a Great Man, as the most Learned and Excellent Dr. _Mead_[134], over and above to back me; who says, “_It is moreover to be consider’d, that the rest of the_ STARS _and_ PLANETS _have each their Power and Influence, which tho’ they be not Equal to that of the_ SUN _and_ MOON; _yet notwithstanding they conspire to augment or diminish their Powers on human Bodys; and this Concourse is of so great Consequence_ (says this Eminent Author) _that we must refer to it the sudden and hidden Power of most Distempers in all Countries_, &c.” BUT the _Powers_ of the two great and glorious LUMINARYS, we are more _sensible_ of, as they are more manifestly _conspicuous_; and _These_ we may in many other _Cases_, (as well as in _BIRTHS_) hold for _efficient Causes_. FOR who knows not that the Influence of the SUN fructifies all sorts of _Grain_, and ripens _Fruit_, _Corn_, &c? Who knows not that by its _Force_ or _Influx_ only, divers _Animals_, _Insects_, &c. engender and spring out of the _Dust_ and the _Earth_? Or, who knows not that its _Power_ prompts all Creatures to _Coition_, and excites them to propagate their respective _Species_, each one its own _Kind_, &c. NEITHER is the _Influence_ of the MOON less evident: For does it not change the _Constitution_ of the WEATHER, raise the AIR, heighten the WINDS, swell and exagitate the _Surface_ of the SEA, and finally, augment and increase the very _Tides_ of the OCEAN? Do not all _Animals_, as well as the _Menstruous_ and _Pregnant Woman_ sensibly feel the _Power_ of the LUNAR _Influence_? Yes verily, as my last quoted _Author_ justly[135] observes, _unless their REGIMEN be perverted, by which means the Body may be disqualify’d or rendred unapt to receive the Impression_.