Wilkins, John, A discovery of a new world : or a discourse tending to prove, that 'tis probable there may be another Habitable World in the Moon ; with a discourse concerning the Probability of a Passage thither; unto which is added, a discourse concerning a New Planet, tending to prove, that 'tis probable our earth is one of the Planets

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290110That the Earth may be a Planet.
I anſwer: The deceit here, is not con
cerning the Light or Colour of thoſe Bodies
but concerning their Motion;
which is nei-
ther the primary nor proper Object of the
Eye, but reckoned amongſt the Object a Com-
munia.
2. Another common Argument againſt
this Motion, is taken from the danger that
would thence ariſe unto all high Buildings,
which by this would quickly be ruinated and
ſcattered abroad.
I anſwer: This Motion is ſuppoſed to be
natural;
and thoſe things which are ac-
cording to Nature, have contrary effects to
other matters, which are by force and vio-
lence.
Now it belongs unto things of this
latter kind, to be inconſtant and hurtful;
whereas thoſe of the firſt kind muſt be re-
gular, and tending to conſervation.
The
Motion of the Earth, is always equal and
like it ſelf;
not by ſtarts and fits. If a
Glaſs of Beer may ſtand firmly enough in a
Ship, when it moves ſwiftly upon a ſmooth
ftream;
much leſs then will the Motion of
the Earth, which is more natural, and ſo
conſequently more equal, cauſe any danger
unto thoſe Buildings that are erected upon
it.
And therefore to ſuſpect any ſuch event,
would be like the fear of Lactantius, who
would not acknowledg the being of any
Antipodes, leſt then he might be forced to
11Gilbert. de
Magn. l. 6.
c. 5.
grant that they ſhould fall down unto the
Heavens.
We have equal reaſon to be afraid
of high Buildings, if the whole

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