1darkneſſe; for that that matter which admits the paſſage of the
Suns rayes thorow a ſpace of two thouſand miles, muſt needs be
ſo tranſparent, that it would very weakly reſiſt them in a
dredth, or leſſer part of that thickneſſe; nevertheleſſe, the term
which ſeparateth the part illuminated from the obſcure, is
dent, and as diſtinct, as white is diſtinct from black; and
ſpecially where the Section paſſeth through the part of the Moon,
that is naturally more clear and montanous; but where the old
ſpots do part, which are certain plains, that by means of their
ſpherical inclination, receive the rayes of the Sun obliquely,
there the term is not ſo diſtinct, by reaſon of the more dimme
lumination. That, laſtly, which he ſaith, how that the ſecondary
light doth not diminiſh and languiſh, according as the Moon
creaſeth, but conſerveth it ſelf continually in the ſame efficacy;
is moſt falſe; nay it is hardly ſeen in the quadrature, when, on
the contrary, it ſhould appear more ſplendid, and be viſible after
the crepuſculum in the dark of night. Let us conclude therefore,
that the Earths reflection is very ſtrong upon the Moon; and that,
which you ought more to eſteem, we may deduce from thence
other admirable congruity between the Moon and Earth;
ly, that if it be true, the Planets operate upon the Earth by their
motion and light, the Earth may probably be no leſſe potent in
operating reciprocally upon them with the ſame light, and
venture, motion alſo. And though it ſhould not move, yet may
it retain the ſame operation; becauſe, as it hath been proved
ready, the action of the light is the ſelf ſame, I mean of the light
of the Sun reflected; and motion doth nothing, ſave only vary
the aſpects, which fall out in the ſame manner, whether we make
the Earth move, and the Sun ſtand ſtill, or the contrary.
Suns rayes thorow a ſpace of two thouſand miles, muſt needs be
ſo tranſparent, that it would very weakly reſiſt them in a
dredth, or leſſer part of that thickneſſe; nevertheleſſe, the term
which ſeparateth the part illuminated from the obſcure, is
dent, and as diſtinct, as white is diſtinct from black; and
ſpecially where the Section paſſeth through the part of the Moon,
that is naturally more clear and montanous; but where the old
ſpots do part, which are certain plains, that by means of their
ſpherical inclination, receive the rayes of the Sun obliquely,
there the term is not ſo diſtinct, by reaſon of the more dimme
lumination. That, laſtly, which he ſaith, how that the ſecondary
light doth not diminiſh and languiſh, according as the Moon
creaſeth, but conſerveth it ſelf continually in the ſame efficacy;
is moſt falſe; nay it is hardly ſeen in the quadrature, when, on
the contrary, it ſhould appear more ſplendid, and be viſible after
the crepuſculum in the dark of night. Let us conclude therefore,
that the Earths reflection is very ſtrong upon the Moon; and that,
which you ought more to eſteem, we may deduce from thence
other admirable congruity between the Moon and Earth;
ly, that if it be true, the Planets operate upon the Earth by their
motion and light, the Earth may probably be no leſſe potent in
operating reciprocally upon them with the ſame light, and
venture, motion alſo. And though it ſhould not move, yet may
it retain the ſame operation; becauſe, as it hath been proved
ready, the action of the light is the ſelf ſame, I mean of the light
of the Sun reflected; and motion doth nothing, ſave only vary
the aſpects, which fall out in the ſame manner, whether we make
the Earth move, and the Sun ſtand ſtill, or the contrary.
SIMPL. None of the Philoſophers are found to have ſaid, that
theſe inferiour bodies operate on the Cœleſtial, nay, Ariſtotle
firmes the direct contrary.
theſe inferiour bodies operate on the Cœleſtial, nay, Ariſtotle
firmes the direct contrary.
SALV. Aristotle and the reſt, who knew not that the Earth and
Moon mutually illuminated each other, are to be excuſed; but
they would juſtly deſerve our cenſure, if whileſt they deſire that
we ſhould grant and believe with them, that the Moon operateth
upon the Earth with light, they ſhould deny to us, who have
taught them that the Earth illuminates the Moon, the operation
the Earth hath on the Moon.
Moon mutually illuminated each other, are to be excuſed; but
they would juſtly deſerve our cenſure, if whileſt they deſire that
we ſhould grant and believe with them, that the Moon operateth
upon the Earth with light, they ſhould deny to us, who have
taught them that the Earth illuminates the Moon, the operation
the Earth hath on the Moon.
SIMPL. In ſhort, I find in my ſelf a great unwillingneſſe to
admit this commerce, which you would perſwade me to be
twixt the Earth and Moon, placing it, as we ſay, amongſt the
number of the Stars; for if there were nothing elſe, the great
ſeparation and diſtance between it and the Cœleſtial bodies, doth
in my opinion neceſſarily conclude a vaſt diſparity between them.
admit this commerce, which you would perſwade me to be
twixt the Earth and Moon, placing it, as we ſay, amongſt the
number of the Stars; for if there were nothing elſe, the great
ſeparation and diſtance between it and the Cœleſtial bodies, doth
in my opinion neceſſarily conclude a vaſt diſparity between them.