An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

First, The greatness of the Stars; such vast bodies show an infinite power in their constitution. It is incredible to ordinary reason (unless men have skill and learning to make it out, and to lay the course of nature together) that the stars are so great. The Sun is reckoned by Astronomers to be one hundred sixty six times bigger than all the earth. The Moon indeed, which is called a great light, is thirty nine times less then the earth, yet that magnitude is far beyond common apprehension. Some other of the planets are almost an hundred times bigger then the earth. And whereas the fixed stars are distinguished into six magnitudes, or differences of greatness. Those of the first magnitude (which are many) are conceived to be one hundred and seven times bigger then the whole earth. We look upon a star, as if it were no bigger then the blaze of a Candle, and the Country-man wonders if the Moon be bigger then his bushel, or broader then his Cart-wheel. If the most judicious enter the consideration of these things, they may soon come to amazement, that so many stars in the heavens should be more then an hundred times bigger then all the earth. And if there are such vast bodies in heaven, what a vast body is heaven? That continent must needs be exceedingly exceeding vast, which contains so many exceeding vast bodies in it. If we get but a nook or a corner of the earth for our portion, we presently think our selves great men: yet what is all the earth to the heavens? ⟨p. 216⟩And what are the heavens we see to that heaven which is unseen, to which these are but a pavement? The heavens which are to us a roof, are but a floor to the highest heavens.

First, The greatnesse of the Stars; such vast bodies shew an infinite power in their constitution. It is incredible to ordinary reason (unlesse men have skill and learning to make it out, and to lay the course of nature together) that the stars are so great. The Sunne is reckoned by Astronomers to be one hundred sixty six times bigger than all the earth. The Moon indeed, which is called a great light, is thirty nine times lesse then the earth, yet that magnitude is farre beyond common apprehension. Some other of the planets are almost an hundred times bigger then the earth. And whereas the fixed stars are distinguished into six magnitudes, or differences of greatnesse. Those of the first magnitude (which are many) are conceived to be one hundred and seven times bigger then the whole earth. We look upon a star, as if it were no bigger then the blaze of a Candle, and the Countrey-man wonders if the Moon be bigger then his bushell, or broader then his Cart-wheel. If the most judicious enter the consideration of these things, they may soon come to amazement, that so many stars in the heavens should be more then an hundred times bigger then all the earth. And if there are such vast bodies in heaven, what a vast body is heaven? That continent must needs be exceedingly exceeding vast, which contains so many exceeding vast bodies in it. If we get but a nook or a corner of the earth for our portion, we presently thinke our selves great men: yet what is all the earth to the heavens?