1that to move towards this, is a moving towards that of the World,
that he cannot affirm, unleſs he ſuppoſeth, That the Centre of the
Earth, from which we ſee theſe light aſcendent bodies to depart,
be the ſame with the Centre of the World; which is as much as
to ſay, that the terreſtrial Globe is conſtituted in the midſt of the
World: which is yet that of which we were in doubt, and which
Aristotle intended to prove. And do you ſay that this is not a
manifeſt Paralogiſm?
that he cannot affirm, unleſs he ſuppoſeth, That the Centre of the
Earth, from which we ſee theſe light aſcendent bodies to depart,
be the ſame with the Centre of the World; which is as much as
to ſay, that the terreſtrial Globe is conſtituted in the midſt of the
World: which is yet that of which we were in doubt, and which
Aristotle intended to prove. And do you ſay that this is not a
manifeſt Paralogiſm?
The Paralogiſme
of Ariſtotle another
way diſcovered.
of Ariſtotle another
way diſcovered.
SAGR. This Argument of Ariſtotle appeared to me deficient
alſo, and non-concludent for another reſpect; though it were
granted, that that Circumference, to which the Fire directly
veth, be that which includeth the World: for that in a circle,
not onely the centre, but any other point being taken, every
able which departing thence, ſhall move in a right line, and
wards any whatſoever part, ſhall without any doubt go towards
the circumference, and continuing the motion, ſhall alſo arrive
thither; ſo that we may truly ſay, that it moveth towards the
circumference: but yet it doth not follow, that that which
veth by the ſame line with a contrary motion, would go towards
the centre, unleſs when the point taken were the centre it ſelf,
or that the motion were made by that onely line, which produced
from the point aſſigned, paſſeth thorow the centre. So that to
ſay, that Fire moving in a right line, goeth towards the
rence of the World, therefore the parts of the Earth which by
the ſame lines move with a contrary motion, go towards the
tre of the World, concludeth not, unleſs then when it is
ſuppoſed, that the lines of the Fire prolonged paſs by the centre
of the World; and becauſe we know certainly of them, that they
paſs by the centre of the Terreſtrial Globe (being
lar to its ſuperficies, and not inclined) therefore to conclude, it
muſt be ſuppoſed, that the centre of the Earth is the ſame with
the centre of the World; or at leaſt, that the parts of the Fire
and Earth deſcend not, ſave onely by one ſole line which paſſeth
by the centre of the World. Which nevertheleſs is falſe, and
pugnant to experience, which ſheweth us, that the parts of
Fire, not by one line onely, but by infinite, produced from the
centre of the Earth towards all the parts of the World, aſcend
always by lines perpendicular to the Superficies of the
al Globe.
alſo, and non-concludent for another reſpect; though it were
granted, that that Circumference, to which the Fire directly
veth, be that which includeth the World: for that in a circle,
not onely the centre, but any other point being taken, every
able which departing thence, ſhall move in a right line, and
wards any whatſoever part, ſhall without any doubt go towards
the circumference, and continuing the motion, ſhall alſo arrive
thither; ſo that we may truly ſay, that it moveth towards the
circumference: but yet it doth not follow, that that which
veth by the ſame line with a contrary motion, would go towards
the centre, unleſs when the point taken were the centre it ſelf,
or that the motion were made by that onely line, which produced
from the point aſſigned, paſſeth thorow the centre. So that to
ſay, that Fire moving in a right line, goeth towards the
rence of the World, therefore the parts of the Earth which by
the ſame lines move with a contrary motion, go towards the
tre of the World, concludeth not, unleſs then when it is
ſuppoſed, that the lines of the Fire prolonged paſs by the centre
of the World; and becauſe we know certainly of them, that they
paſs by the centre of the Terreſtrial Globe (being
lar to its ſuperficies, and not inclined) therefore to conclude, it
muſt be ſuppoſed, that the centre of the Earth is the ſame with
the centre of the World; or at leaſt, that the parts of the Fire
and Earth deſcend not, ſave onely by one ſole line which paſſeth
by the centre of the World. Which nevertheleſs is falſe, and
pugnant to experience, which ſheweth us, that the parts of
Fire, not by one line onely, but by infinite, produced from the
centre of the Earth towards all the parts of the World, aſcend
always by lines perpendicular to the Superficies of the
al Globe.
SALV. You do very ingeniouſly lead Ariſtotle to the ſame
convenience, Sagredus, ſhewing his manifeſt equivoke; but
withal you add another inconſiſtency. We ſee the Earth to be
ſpherical, and therefore are certain that it hath its centre, to which
we ſee all its parts are moved; for ſo we muſt ſay, whilſt their
motions are all perpendicular to the Superficies of the Earth; we
convenience, Sagredus, ſhewing his manifeſt equivoke; but
withal you add another inconſiſtency. We ſee the Earth to be
ſpherical, and therefore are certain that it hath its centre, to which
we ſee all its parts are moved; for ſo we muſt ſay, whilſt their
motions are all perpendicular to the Superficies of the Earth; we