Wesley Corpus

Halley (never yet suspected of enthusiasm) fixes the return of the great comet in the year 1758; and he observes that the last time it revolved, it moved in the very same line which the earth describes in her annual course round the sun; but the earth was on the other side of her orbit. Whereas, in this revolution, it will move, not only in the same line, but in the same part of that line wherein the earth moves. And “who can tell,” says that great man, “what the consequences of such a contact may be?” Who can tell / Any man of common understanding, who knows the very first elements of astronomy. The immediate consequence of such a body of solid fire touching the earth must necessarily be, that it will set the earth on fire, and burn it to a coal, if it do not likewise strike it out of its course; in which case, (so far as we can judge,) it must drop down directly into the sun. But what, if this vast body is already on its way? if it is nearer than we are aware of? What, if these unusual, unprecedented motions of the waters be one effect of its near approach? We cannot be certain that it will be visible to the inhabitants of our globe, till it has imbibed the solar fire. But possibly we may see it sooner than we desire. We may see it, not as Milton speaks,-- From its horrid hair Shake pestilence and war; but ushering in far other calamities than these, and of more extensive influence. Probably it will be seen first drawing nearer and nearer, till it appears as another moon in magni tude, though not in colour, being of a deep fiery red; then scorching and burning up all the produce of the earth, driving away all clouds, and so cutting off the hope or possibility of any rain or dew; drying up every fountain, stream, and river, causing all faces to gather blackness, and all men’s hearts to fail; then executing its grand commission on the globe itself, and causing the stars to fall from heaven." O, who may abide when this is done? Who will then be able to stand? Quo mare, quo tellus, correptaque regia caeli Ardeat; et mundi moles operosa laboret 3+ What shall we do?