An original theory or new hypothesis of the universe /

by Thomas Wright

To make manifest the infinite Empire and Agency of God, from celestial Motion, became the Task, but of very late Years; and I can't help being of Opinion, that by means of these primary Bodies, only, we shall at length be able to trace the greater Circulations, and Laws of Nature, to their real original and fountain Head.

These, were any thing wanting, besides the Miracle ourselves, to convince us of a divine Origination, are all infallible Proofs, that the Universe is governed by an intelligent and all-powerful Being, whose Existence is too nearly related to a self-evident Truth to be more clearly demonstrated, than it is manifest of itself, both from the particular Laws of Nature, and the general Order of Things. An Argument which has been thought of no small Force, and well worth observing in the Infancy of Christianity. The invisible Things of God are clearly seen, being understood by the Things that are made, even his eternal Power and Godhead. Rom. i. 20.

But 'tis now high time to look back upon my Theory, and tell you it is a vain Supposition, to imagine I shall ever be able to convince every Reader, either of the Truth or Probability of what I have advanced to you: Mathematical Assistance not being to be expected, where perhaps it has never been thought of; and I allow you, it is much more reasonable to expect, that fifty Persons will read these Letters without perceiving the Reasonableness of them, than that five should consider them with proper Judgment.

I must ingenuously confess to you, that nothing is wanting to convince me intirely of the Certainty of what I here advance by way of Conjecture to you. But this you must only look upon as an happy Partiality, which generally attends all Authors, and always will be the chief Support of their tedious Labours. I assure you, I have neither Hopes nor Expectation, no, not the weak Breath of a Wish, to be admitted a proper Judge of my own Works. But I shall always take their Imperfection to be rather, (like my own Faults) to be too near me to be seen; I therefore trust all to my Friend, and if I am so fortunate as to excite his Approbation, I shall think myself very happy in a very favourite Point; which is, The advancing nothing which a rational Reader would willingly overlook, or be ignorant of.

But if I have been so happy as to come so near the Mark, as to border upon Truth, I believe you will allow me to carry my Conjectures a little further, and point out some farther pleasing Consequences, which I begin to perceive may naturally follow.

Should it be granted, that the Creation may be circular or orbicular, I would next suppose, in the general Center of the whole an intelligent Principle, from whence proceeds that mystick and paternal Power, productive of all Life, Light, and the Infinity of Things.

Here the to-all extending Eye of Providence, within the Sphere of its Activity, and as omnipresently presiding, seated in the Center of Infinity, I would imagine views all the Objects of his Power at once, and every Thing immediately direct, dispensing instantaneously its enlivening Influence, to the remotest Regions every where all round. I know you'll say Astronomers are never to be satisfied, and I must own where there is so much rational Entertainment for the human Mind, and so suitable to the true Dignity of God, and most worthy of Man, it is not easy to know where to stop in such a Scene of Wonders.

Having, I say, once granted that all the Stars may move round one common Center, I think it is very natural to one, who loves to pursue Nature as far as we may, to enquire what most likely may be in that Center; for since we must allow it to be far superior to any other Point of Situation in the known Universe, it is highly probable, there may be some one Body of siderial or earthy Substance seated there, where the divine Presence, or some corporeal Agent, full of all Virtues and Perfections, more immediately presides over his own Creation. And here this primary Agent of the omnipotent and eternal Being, may sit enthroned, as in the Primum Mobile of Nature, acting in Concert with the eternal Will. To this common Center of Gravitation, which may be supposed to attract all Vertues, and repel all Vice, all Beings as to Perfection may tend; and from hence all Bodies first derive their Spring of Action, and are directed in their various Motions.

Thus in the Focus, or Center of Creation, I would willingly introduce a primitive Fountain, perpetually overflowing with divine Grace, from whence all the Laws of Nature have their Origin, and this I think would reduce the whole Universe into regular Order and just Harmony, and at the same time, inlarge our Ideas of the divine Indulgence, open our Prospect into Nature's fair Vineyard, the vast Field of all our future Inheritance.

But what this central Body really is, I shall not here presume to say, yet I can't help observing it must of Necessity, if the Creation is real and not merely Ideal, be either a Globe of Fire superior to the Sun, or otherwise a vast terraqueous or terrestrial Sphere, surrounded with an Æther like our Earth, but more refined, transparent and serene. Which of these is most probable, I shall leave undetermined, and must acknowledge at the same time, my Notions here are so imperfect, I hardly dare conjecture. 'Tis true, I have ventur'd to think it may be one of these, and since so glorious a Situation can hardly be supposed without its proper Inhabitants, 'tis most natural to conclude it may be the latter. In the first Case, besides our having no Idea of Beings existing in Fire, it would not, notwithstanding its Distance, be so easy to account for its being invisible; and since the Lustre of the Stars are all innate, they could receive no Benefit from it, and consequently such a Nature as a solar Composition, must in this Place be render'd useless; but in the latter Supposition of its being a dark Body, we have no Difficulty attending us, having several Instances of like Bodies, moving round an opaque one. Now when we consider, that all those radient Globes, which adorn the Skies, those bright ætherial Sparks of elemental Fire, thick strewed like Seeds of Light all round our Hemisphere, are each to us the Embrio of a glorious Sun; how awful and stupendious must that Region be, where all their Beams unite and make one inconceivable eternal Day?