The darkness at our Saviour’s crucifixion supernatural.
352. From the above explanation of the doctrine of Eclipses it is evident, that the darkness at our Saviour’s crucifixion was supernatural. For he suffered on the next day after eating his last Passover-Supper, on which day it was impossible that the Moon’s shadow could fall on the Earth, for the Jews kept the Passover at the time of Full Moon: nor does the darkness in total Eclipses of the Sun last four minutes in any place § [333], whereas the darkness at the crucifixion lasted three hours, Matt. xxviii. 15. and overspread at least all the land of Judea.
CHAP. XIX.
The Calculation of New and Full Moons and Eclipses. The geometrical Construction of Solar and Lunar Eclipses. The examination of antient Eclipses.
353. To construct an Eclipse of the Sun, we must collect these ten Elements or Requisites from the following Astronomical Tables.
Requisites for a solar Eclipse.
I. The true time of conjunction of the Sun and Moon: to know at what conjunctions the Sun must be eclipsed; and to the times of those conjunctions,
II. The Moon’s horizontal parallax, or angle which the semi-diameter of the Earth subtends as seen from the Moon.
III. The Sun’s true place, and distance from the solstitial colure to which he is then nearest, either in coming to it or going from it.
IV. The Sun’s declination.
V. The angle of the Moon’s visible path with the Ecliptic.