1an enterprize of pulling the new ſtars out of heaven, and placing
them in the elementary Sphere, he ſhall be worthy to be highly
exalted, and transferred himſelf amongſt the ſtars, or at leaſt,
that his name be by fame eternized amongſt them. Yet before we
enter upon this, let us hear what he alledgeth againſt the opinion
of Copernicus, and do you begin to recite his Arguments.
them in the elementary Sphere, he ſhall be worthy to be highly
exalted, and transferred himſelf amongſt the ſtars, or at leaſt,
that his name be by fame eternized amongſt them. Yet before we
enter upon this, let us hear what he alledgeth againſt the opinion
of Copernicus, and do you begin to recite his Arguments.
SIMP. It will not be neceſſary that we read them ad verbum,
becauſe they are very prolix; but I, as you may ſee, in reading
them ſeveral times attentively, have marked in the margine thoſe
words, wherein the ſtrength of his arguments lie, and it will
ſuffice to read them. The ſirſt Argument beginneth here. Et
becauſe they are very prolix; but I, as you may ſee, in reading
them ſeveral times attentively, have marked in the margine thoſe
words, wherein the ſtrength of his arguments lie, and it will
ſuffice to read them. The ſirſt Argument beginneth here. Et
primo, ſi opinio Copernici recipiatur, Criterium naturalis
ſophiæ, ni prorſus tollatur, vehementer ſaltem labefactari
videtur. [In our Idiom thus] And firſt, if Copernicus his opinion
be imbraced, the Criterium of natural Philoſophy will be, if not
wholly ſubverted, yet at leaſt extreamly ſhaken.
The opinion of
Copernicus
throws the
rium of Philoſophy
Copernicus
throws the
rium of Philoſophy
Which, according to the opinion of all the ſects of Philoſophers
requireth, that Senſe and Experience be our guides in
ting: But in the Copernican poſition the Senſes are greatly
ded, whil'ſt that they viſibly diſcover neer at hand in a pure
um, the graveſt bodies to deſcend perpendicularly downwards,
ver deviating a ſingle hairs breadth from rectitude; and yet
ding to the opinion of Copernicus, the ſight in ſo manifeſt a thing
is deceived, and that motion is not reall ſtraight, but mixt of
right and circular.
requireth, that Senſe and Experience be our guides in
ting: But in the Copernican poſition the Senſes are greatly
ded, whil'ſt that they viſibly diſcover neer at hand in a pure
um, the graveſt bodies to deſcend perpendicularly downwards,
ver deviating a ſingle hairs breadth from rectitude; and yet
ding to the opinion of Copernicus, the ſight in ſo manifeſt a thing
is deceived, and that motion is not reall ſtraight, but mixt of
right and circular.
SALV. This is the firſt argument, that Ariſtotle, Ptolomy, and
all their followers do produce; to which we have
ly anſwered, and ſhewn the Paralogiſme, and with ſufficient
plainneſſe proved, that the motion in common to us and other
veables, is, as if there were no ſuch thing; but becauſe true
cluſions meet with a thouſand accidents, that confirme them, I
will, with the favour of this Philoſopher, adde ſomething more;
and you Simplicius perſonating him, anſwer me to what I ſhall
ask you: And firſt tell me, what effect hath that ſtone upon you,
which falling from the top of the Tower, is the cauſe that you
ceive that motion; for if its fall doth operate upon you neither
more nor leſſe, than its ſtanding ſtill on the Towers top, you
doubtleſſe could not diſcern its deſcent, or diſtinguiſh its moving
from its lying ſtill.
all their followers do produce; to which we have
ly anſwered, and ſhewn the Paralogiſme, and with ſufficient
plainneſſe proved, that the motion in common to us and other
veables, is, as if there were no ſuch thing; but becauſe true
cluſions meet with a thouſand accidents, that confirme them, I
will, with the favour of this Philoſopher, adde ſomething more;
and you Simplicius perſonating him, anſwer me to what I ſhall
ask you: And firſt tell me, what effect hath that ſtone upon you,
which falling from the top of the Tower, is the cauſe that you
ceive that motion; for if its fall doth operate upon you neither
more nor leſſe, than its ſtanding ſtill on the Towers top, you
doubtleſſe could not diſcern its deſcent, or diſtinguiſh its moving
from its lying ſtill.
Common motion
is, as if it never
were.
is, as if it never
were.
The argument
taken from things
falling
larly, another way
confuted.
taken from things
falling
larly, another way
confuted.
SIMP. I comprehend its moving, in relation to the Tower,
for that I ſee it one while juſt againſt ſuch a mark in the ſaid
Tower, and another while againſt another lower, and ſo
ſively, till that at laſt I perceive it arrived at the ground.
for that I ſee it one while juſt againſt ſuch a mark in the ſaid
Tower, and another while againſt another lower, and ſo
ſively, till that at laſt I perceive it arrived at the ground.
SALV. Then if that ſtone were let fall from the tallons of an
Eagle flying, and ſhould deſcend thorow the ſimple inviſible Air,
Eagle flying, and ſhould deſcend thorow the ſimple inviſible Air,