IT may be said, that though similar solids in this world are to each other as the cubes of their homologous sides, or diameters, yet in such case the matter also of such solids is supposed to be homologous. But the matter of the sun and of the earth cannot well be supposed to be homologous or similar; and therefore we cannot with certainty apply the laws of GEOMETRY, or earthly measurement, to the sun; because we cannot (I suppose,) assert, that two spheres, one of them solar or celestial, and the other terrestrial, have to each other the triplicate ratio of that of their diameters, in any other respect than in that of magnitude. The intensity of fire, and many other unknown, but probable, properties and qualities of the SUN, are perhaps incalculable by men. Yet as experience, supporting Sir I. Newton's principles of natural philosophy, shows that the modified attraction of the sun on the planets, as expressed by the decrements of that attraction, is a square ratio; therefore I apprehend that we may venture to make calculations according to that ratio. Mr. Ferguson also says, experimentally, "that the law of ATTRACTION between THE SUN and THE PLANETS. holds good precisely between THE PLANETS and THEIR SATELLITES." Hence, we are so far authorized to say, that with respect to attraction, as well as to magnitude, the laws of GEOMETRY are common both to THE SUN and to THE PLANETS. The SUN, therefore, attracts the planets, with the whole of the attracting powers of his mass at the time, whatever that may be, and acts upon them in the whole of their attractible mass; or, in other words, the attraction is probably total or CUBIC, according to the true meaning of the terms, as hereafter explained by the help of Sir I. Newton. But Mr. Ferguson says, that the proportion of bulk (and therefore probably of attraction) of the SUN, compared with the earth, is as 877,650 to 1. Others think it is as a million to 1. This proportion approaches in a degree towards totality, or an infinite cubic measure, so to speak; and if the projectile force of the earth were destroyed, the sun and the earth would meet in a point, in a line wherein the earth would move 877,650, or a million parts, and the SUN one part. If the sun be considered as a shadow of our LORD in his human nature, the proportions between Him and the very best men, (say St. Paul,) may perhaps be susceptible of some extremely minute comparison with the proportions between the sun and the earth, not generally, but in some particular instance; but between our LORD in his moral and divine nature, and the very best of mere men, there can be no proportion, or the proportion of infinite+to 1. Now, the measure of attraction (viz. power) and gravity (viz. weakness) between the sun and the planets,* is found to be greater or less, to increase or decrease, in * This view of attraction and gravity may be well illustrated by the figure of a giant pulling along a child, bound with a rope! At exact proportion as the square of the distance between them is greater or less. Also, it is evident, that the measure of the decrements of attraction or power of the sun over the planets, if they recede from him, must be the same precisely with the measure of the increments of the same, as they approach to him; like the opposite scales of a balance. 2. On the other hand, it is equally evident, that the greater is the power of the sun's attraction on the planets, (if not counteracted,) the less must be the measure of their departure from Him, and consequently the measure of its decrements: for, if the attracting power were raised to a certain height of absolute coercion, without any intervening mitigation, there could be no departure, and therefore no practical decrement at all. Hence, it seems evident that the decrement must be inversely as the power: viz. if the power were absolute or total, or strictly cubic, without modification, then the decrement would be 0. If the power were only raised half way, or as a instead of a3, then the decrement would be square, as in the actual present case, or ±. Lastly, if the power were : 0, the decrement would become absolute and total minus or -, because all the motions of the heavenly bodies, as well as all the other operations of nature, are ALGEBRAIC, and have been so ever since the "GOD of this world," " the PRINCE of the power of the AIR," introduced himself (by permission) into the heart of man, whom he had conquered: for then nature, the type or image of man, fell with her LORD, and became minus, or, cursed, because mixed with the types of sin. = traction is the power of the giant, and gravity expresses the weakness of the child, who is unable to resist, but must move as fast as the giant pulls, &c. &c. |
