Twas the fancie of some of the Jewes, and more especially of Rabbi Simeon,1 that the Moone was nothing else but a contracted Sunne,2 and that both those planets at their first creation, were equall both in light and quantity. For, because God did then call them both great lights, therefore they inferred that they must be both equall in bignesse. But a while after (as the tradition goes) the ambitious Moone put up her complaint to God against the Sunne, shewing that it was not fit there should be two such great lights in the heavens; a Monarchie would best become the place of order and harmony. Vpon this, God commanded her to contract her selfe into a narrower compasse; but shee being much discontented hereat, replies, What! because I have spoken that which is reason and equity, must I therefore be diminished? This sentence could not chuse but much trouble her; and for this reason was shee in great distresse and griefe for a long space; but that her sorrow might be some way pacified, God bid her be of good cheere, because her priviledges and Charter should be greater than the Sunnes; he should appeare in the day time onely, shee both in the day and night; but her melancholy being not satisfied with this, shee replied againe, That, that alas was no benefit; for in the day time shee should be either not seene, or not noted. Wherefore, God to comfort her up, promised, that his people the Israelites should celebrate all their feasts and holy dayes by a computation of her moneths; but this being not able to content her, shee has looked very melancholy ever since; however, she hath still reserved much light of her owne.
Others there were, that did think the Moone to be a round globe; the one halfe of whose body was of a bright substance, the other halfe being dark; and the divers conversions of those sides towards our eyes, caused the variety of her appearances: of this opinion was Berosus, as hee is cited by3 Vitruvius; and4 St. Austin thought it was probable enough. But this fancie is almost equally absurd with the former, and both of them sound rather like fables, than Philosophicall truths. You may commonly see how this latter does contradict frequent and easie experience; for ‘tis observed, that that spot which is perceived about her middle when shee is in the encrease, may be discern’d in the same place when she is in the full: whence it must follow, that the same part which was before darkned, is after inlightened, and that the one part is not alwayes dark, and the other light of it selfe. But enough of this, I would be loth to make an enemy, that I may afterwards overcome him, or bestow time in proving that which is already granted; I suppose now, that neither of them hath any patrons, and therefore need no confutation.
‘Tis agreed upon by all sides, that this Planet receives most of her light from the Sunne; but the cheife controversie is, whether or no shee hath any of her owne? The greater multitude affirme this. Cardan amongst the rest,5 is very confident of it, and hee thinks that if any of us were in the Moone at the time of her greatest eclipse, Lunam aspiceremus non secus ac innumeris cereis splendidissimis accensis, atque in eas oculis defixis caecutiremus; Wee should perceive so great a brightnesse of her owne, that would blinde us with the meere sight, and when she is enlightened by the Sun, then no Eagles eye (if there were any there) is able to look upon her. This Cardan sayes, and hee doth but say it, without bringing any proofe for its confirmation. However, I will set downe the arguments that are usually urged for this opinion, and they are taken either from Scripture, or reason; from Scripture is urged that place, 1 Cor. 15. where it is said, There is one glory of the Sunne, and another glory of the Moone. Vlysses Albergettus urges that in Math. 24. 29. […], The Moon shall not give her light: therefore (sayes he) shee hath some of her owne.
But to these we may easily answer, that the glory and light there spoken of, may be said to be hers, though it be derived, as you may see in many other instances.
The arguments from reason are taken either.
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From that light which is discerned in her, when there is a totall eclipse of her owne body, or of the Sunne.
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From the light which is discerned in the darker part of her body, when shee is but a little distant from the Sunne.
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For when there are any totall eclipses, there appeares in her body a great rednesse, and many times light enough to cause a remarkable shade, as common experience doth sufficiently manifest: but this cannot come from the Sun, since at such times either the earth or her own body shades her from the Sun-beames; therfore it must proceed from her owne light.
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Two or three dayes after the new Moone, we may perceive light in her whole body, whereas the rayes of the Sun reflect but upon a small part of that which is visible; therefore ‘tis likely that there is some light of her owne.