So that 'tis to the Greeks themselves as the Inventors (and especially to the Great Hipparchus) that we owe this Astronomy, which is now improv'd to … - Edmond Halley

But all those that consider'd Comets, until the Time of Ticho Brahe (that great Restorer of Astronomy) believ'd them to be below the Moon, and so took but little Notice of them, reckoning them no other than Vapours.

Wherefore, if, according to what we have already said, it should return again about the year 1758, candid posterity will not refuse to acknowledge that this was first discovered by an Englishman.

[I]n the Year 1456, in the Summer time, a Comet was seen passing Retrograde between the Earth and the Sun, much after the same Manner: Which, tho' no Body made Observations upon it, yet from its Period, and the Manner of its Transit, I cannot think different from those I have just now mention'd. Hence I dare venture to foretell, That it will return again in the Year 1758. And, if it should then return, we shall have no Reason to doubt but the rest must return too: Therefore Astronomers have a large Field to exercise themselves in for many Ages, before they will be able to know the Number of these many and great Bodies revolving about the common Center of the Sun; and reduce their Motions to certain Rules.