cularly by this phrase, to express an height above the
middle Region, or above our Atmosphere, that Paradise might be serene; and where our Atmosphere ended, they reckon'd the Sphere of the Moon begun, and
therefore said it reach'd to the Sphere of the Moon.
Many of the Christian Fathers exprest their opinion
concerning the high situation of Paradise in plain and
formal terms, as S. Basil, Damascen, Moses Bar Cepba, &c.
but this phrase of reaching to the Lunar Circle is repeated by several of them, and said to be of great
Antiquity. Aquinas, Albertus, and others, ascribe it to
Bede, but many to S. Austin; and therefore Ambrosius
Catharinus is angry with their great Schoolman, that
he should derive it from Bede, seeing S. Austin writing
to Orosius, deliver'd this doctrine, which surely, says
He, S. Austin neither feign'd nor dream'd only, but had
receiv'd it from Antiquity: And from so great Antiquity, that it was no less than Apostolical, if we credit
Albertus Magnus, |
Sum. Theol.
par. 2.tract.
13. q. 79. |
and the ancient Books he appeals to,
for He says this Tradition was deriv'd as high as from
S. Thomas the Apostle. His words are these, after he
had deliver'd his own opinion, Hoc tamen dico, &c.
But this I say, without prejudice to the better opinion, for
I have found it in some most ancient Books, that Thomas
the Apostle was the Author of that opinion, which is usually attributed to Bede and Strabus, namely, that Paradise was so high as to reach to the Lunar Circle. But thus
much concerning this Opinion, and concerning Antiquity.
To conclude all, we see this Theory which was
drawn only by a thred of Reason, and the Laws of
Nature, abstractly from all Antiquity, notwithstanding
casts a light upon many passages there, which were
otherwise accounted fictions, or unintelligible truths;
and though we do not alledge these as proofs of the
Theory, for it carries its own light and proof with it,
yet whether we will or no, they do mutually confirm,
as well as illustrate one another; And 'tis a pleasure
also, when one hath wrought out truth by meer dint
of thinking, and examination of causes, and propos'd
it plainly and openly, to meet with it again amongst
the Ancients, disguis'd, and in an old fashion'd dress,
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