1and fixed Stars may ſtand immoveable, in caſe the Earth ſhould
move: the matter of fact in diſpute is, to which of them we may
with moſt convenience aſcribe motion, and to which reſt. Natural
reaſon dictates, that motion ought to be aſſigned to the bodies,
which in kind and eſſence moſt agree with thoſe bodies which do
undoubtedly move, and reſt to thoſe which moſt diſſent from them;
and in regard that an eternal reſt and perpetual motion are moſt
different, it is manifeſt, that the nature of the body always
able ought to be moſt different from the body alwayes ſtable.
Therefore, in regard that we are dubious of motion and reſt,
let us enquire, whether by the help of ſome other eminent
on, we may diſcover, which moſt agreeth with the bodies
ly moveable, either the Earth, or the Sun and fixed Stars. But ſee
how Nature, in favour of our neceſſity and deſire, preſents us
with two eminent qualities, and no leſs different than motion and
reſt, and they are light and darkneſs, to wit, the being by nature
moſt bright, and the being obſcure, and wholly deprived of light:
the bodies therefore adorned with an internal and eternal
dour, are moſt different in eſſence from thoſe deprived of light:
The Earth is deprived of light, the Sun is moſt ſplendid in it ſelf,
and ſo are the fixed Stars. The ſix Planets do abſolutely
want light, as the Earth; therefore their eſſence agreeth with
the Earth, and differeth from the Sun and fixed Stars.
fore is the Earth moveable, immoveable the Sunne and Starry
Sphere.
move: the matter of fact in diſpute is, to which of them we may
with moſt convenience aſcribe motion, and to which reſt. Natural
reaſon dictates, that motion ought to be aſſigned to the bodies,
which in kind and eſſence moſt agree with thoſe bodies which do
undoubtedly move, and reſt to thoſe which moſt diſſent from them;
and in regard that an eternal reſt and perpetual motion are moſt
different, it is manifeſt, that the nature of the body always
able ought to be moſt different from the body alwayes ſtable.
Therefore, in regard that we are dubious of motion and reſt,
let us enquire, whether by the help of ſome other eminent
on, we may diſcover, which moſt agreeth with the bodies
ly moveable, either the Earth, or the Sun and fixed Stars. But ſee
how Nature, in favour of our neceſſity and deſire, preſents us
with two eminent qualities, and no leſs different than motion and
reſt, and they are light and darkneſs, to wit, the being by nature
moſt bright, and the being obſcure, and wholly deprived of light:
the bodies therefore adorned with an internal and eternal
dour, are moſt different in eſſence from thoſe deprived of light:
The Earth is deprived of light, the Sun is moſt ſplendid in it ſelf,
and ſo are the fixed Stars. The ſix Planets do abſolutely
want light, as the Earth; therefore their eſſence agreeth with
the Earth, and differeth from the Sun and fixed Stars.
fore is the Earth moveable, immoveable the Sunne and Starry
Sphere.
From the Earths
obſcurity, and the
ſplendour of the
Sun, and fixed
Stars, is argued,
that it is
ble, and they
moveable.
obſcurity, and the
ſplendour of the
Sun, and fixed
Stars, is argued,
that it is
ble, and they
moveable.
SIMP. But the Authour will not grant, that the ſix Planets are
tenebroſe, and by that negative will he abide. Or he will argue
the great conformity of nature between the ſix Planets, and the
Sun, and Fixed Stars; and the diſparity between them and the
Earth from other conditions than from tenebroſity and light; yea,
now I remember in the fifth objection, which followeth, he layeth
down the vaſt difference between the Earth and the Cœleſtial
Bodies, in which he writeth, That the Copernican Hypotheſis
would make great confuſion and perturbation in the Syſteme of the
Vniverſe, and amongst its parts: As for inſtance, amongſt
bodies that are immutable and incorruptible, according to
tle, Tycho, and others; amongſt bodies, I ſay, of ſuch nobility, by
the confeſſion of every one, and Copernicus himſelf, who affirmeth
them to be ordinate, and diſpoſed in a perfect conſtitution, and
removeth from them all inconſtancy of vertue amongſt, theſe
dies, I ſay once more, ſo pure, that is to ſay, amongſt Venus, Mars,
&c. to place the very ſink of all corruptible matters, to wit, the
Earth, Water, Air, and all mixt bodies.
tenebroſe, and by that negative will he abide. Or he will argue
the great conformity of nature between the ſix Planets, and the
Sun, and Fixed Stars; and the diſparity between them and the
Earth from other conditions than from tenebroſity and light; yea,
now I remember in the fifth objection, which followeth, he layeth
down the vaſt difference between the Earth and the Cœleſtial
Bodies, in which he writeth, That the Copernican Hypotheſis
would make great confuſion and perturbation in the Syſteme of the
Vniverſe, and amongst its parts: As for inſtance, amongſt
bodies that are immutable and incorruptible, according to
tle, Tycho, and others; amongſt bodies, I ſay, of ſuch nobility, by
the confeſſion of every one, and Copernicus himſelf, who affirmeth
them to be ordinate, and diſpoſed in a perfect conſtitution, and
removeth from them all inconſtancy of vertue amongſt, theſe
dies, I ſay once more, ſo pure, that is to ſay, amongſt Venus, Mars,
&c. to place the very ſink of all corruptible matters, to wit, the
Earth, Water, Air, and all mixt bodies.