26787That the Earth may be a Planet.
But yet this will not prove, that it is in the
midſt of the Univerſe. For let our Adver-
ſaries ſuppoſe it to be as far diſtant from
that, as they conceive the Sun to be; yet
may it ſtill be ſcituated, in the very con-
courſe of theſe two Lines: becauſe the
Axis of the World is nothing elſe but
that imaginary Line which paſſes through
the Poles of our Earth, to the Poles of
the World. And ſo likewiſe the Equa-
tor, is nothing elſe but a great Circle in the
midſt of the Earth, betwixt both the Poles,
which by imagination is continued even to
the fixed Stars. Thus alſo, we may affirm
the Earth to be in the plane of the Zodiack,
if by its annual motion it did deſcribe that
imaginary Circle: and in the plane of the
Equator, if by its diurnal motion about its
own Axis, it did make ſeveral Parallels, the
midſt of which ſhould be the Equator. From
whence it appears, that theſe two former
Arguments proceed from one and the ſame
miſtake, whilſt our Adverſaries ſuppoſe the
Circumference and Center of the Sphere, to
be the ſame with that of the World.
midſt of the Univerſe. For let our Adver-
ſaries ſuppoſe it to be as far diſtant from
that, as they conceive the Sun to be; yet
may it ſtill be ſcituated, in the very con-
courſe of theſe two Lines: becauſe the
Axis of the World is nothing elſe but
that imaginary Line which paſſes through
the Poles of our Earth, to the Poles of
the World. And ſo likewiſe the Equa-
tor, is nothing elſe but a great Circle in the
midſt of the Earth, betwixt both the Poles,
which by imagination is continued even to
the fixed Stars. Thus alſo, we may affirm
the Earth to be in the plane of the Zodiack,
if by its annual motion it did deſcribe that
imaginary Circle: and in the plane of the
Equator, if by its diurnal motion about its
own Axis, it did make ſeveral Parallels, the
midſt of which ſhould be the Equator. From
whence it appears, that theſe two former
Arguments proceed from one and the ſame
miſtake, whilſt our Adverſaries ſuppoſe the
Circumference and Center of the Sphere, to
be the ſame with that of the World.
Another demonſtration of the ſame kind,
11Arg. 3. is taken from the Eclipſes of the Sun and
Moon; which would not always happen
when theſe two Luminaries are diametri-
cally oppoſed, but ſometimes when they
are leſs diſtant than a Semicircle, if it were ſo
that the Earth were not in the Centre.
11Arg. 3. is taken from the Eclipſes of the Sun and
Moon; which would not always happen
when theſe two Luminaries are diametri-
cally oppoſed, but ſometimes when they
are leſs diſtant than a Semicircle, if it were ſo
that the Earth were not in the Centre.
I anſwer:
This Argument, if well conſi-
dered, will be found moſt directly to
dered, will be found moſt directly to