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.

NOW this does not only happen to Four-footed Beasts, and all that possess the dry LAND; but also more especially to the Inhabitants of the SEA: And how remarkable is it, that the very Shell-Fish, (how closely soever shut up, and how low soever buried, as it were, in the very ABYSS of the Deeps) cannot be exempted from the sensible Impression of this Lunar Power? To this Point and Purpose (I think) Lucilius[[136]], that Learned Poet, manifestly alludes, saying,

“Luna alit Ostrea, & implet Echinos, Muribus

“Fibras & Pecui addit.

And after Him, Manilius[[137]], that great Astronomer, writes à propos upon this Topick, when he says,

“Sic submersa fretis Concharum & Carcere clausa