27393That the Earth may be a Planet.
1.
If the fixed Stars be ſo far diſtant from
11Fromond.
Veſt tract.
5. cap. 1. us, that our approaching nearer unto them
by 2000000 German miles, do not make a-
ny ſenſible difference in their appearance,
then Gallilæus his Perſpective could not make
them ſeem of a bigger Form, than they do
to the bare Eye, which yet is contrary to
common experience.
11Fromond.
Veſt tract.
5. cap. 1. us, that our approaching nearer unto them
by 2000000 German miles, do not make a-
ny ſenſible difference in their appearance,
then Gallilæus his Perſpective could not make
them ſeem of a bigger Form, than they do
to the bare Eye, which yet is contrary to
common experience.
2.
From hence it may be inferred, That
22Ibid. the leaſt fixed Star is bigger than all this Orb
wherein we ſuppoſe the Earth to move; be-
cauſe there is none of them but are of a ſen-
ſible bigneſs in reſpect of the Firmament;
whereas this it ſeems is not.
22Ibid. the leaſt fixed Star is bigger than all this Orb
wherein we ſuppoſe the Earth to move; be-
cauſe there is none of them but are of a ſen-
ſible bigneſs in reſpect of the Firmament;
whereas this it ſeems is not.
3.
Since God did at firſt create the Stars
for the uſe of all Nations that are under the
whole Heavens, Deut. 4. 19. it might have
33Ibid. argued ſome improvidence in him, if he had
made them of ſuch vaſt magnitudes: where-
as they might as well beſtow their light and
influences, and ſo conſequently be as ſer-
viceable to that end for which they were ap-
pointed, if they had been made with leſs
Bodies, and placed nearer unto us. And
’tis a common maxime, that Nature in all her
Operations, does avoid ſuperfluities, and uſe
the moſt compendious way.
for the uſe of all Nations that are under the
whole Heavens, Deut. 4. 19. it might have
33Ibid. argued ſome improvidence in him, if he had
made them of ſuch vaſt magnitudes: where-
as they might as well beſtow their light and
influences, and ſo conſequently be as ſer-
viceable to that end for which they were ap-
pointed, if they had been made with leſs
Bodies, and placed nearer unto us. And
’tis a common maxime, that Nature in all her
Operations, does avoid ſuperfluities, and uſe
the moſt compendious way.
I anſwer:
1.
To the firſt;
whether the Perſpective
do make the fixed Stars appear bigger than
they do to the bare Eye, cannot certainly
be concluded, unlefs we had ſuch an exact
Glaſs, by which we might try the experi-
ment. But if in this kind we will truſt
do make the fixed Stars appear bigger than
they do to the bare Eye, cannot certainly
be concluded, unlefs we had ſuch an exact
Glaſs, by which we might try the experi-
ment. But if in this kind we will truſt
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