1to move, and ſeperated from the Noun Cauſes, the which is a great
preſumption in my favour, ſeeing that the writing and the Text
ſaith, Figures are not the Cauſe of moving ſimply upwards or
downwards, but of quicker or ſlower Motion: and, ſaith not,
Figures are not ſimply the Cauſes of moving upwards or
wards, and when the words of a Text receive, tranſpoſed, a ſence
different from that which they found, taken in the order wherein
the Author diſpoſeth them, it is not convenient to inverte them.
And who will affirm that Ariſtotle deſiring to write a Propoſition,
would diſpoſe the words in ſuch ſort, that they ſhould import a
different, nay, a contrary ſence? contrary, I ſay, becauſe
ſtood as they are written; they ſay, that Figures are not the
Cauſes of Motion, but inverted, they ſay, that Figures are the
Cauſes of Motion, &c.
preſumption in my favour, ſeeing that the writing and the Text
ſaith, Figures are not the Cauſe of moving ſimply upwards or
downwards, but of quicker or ſlower Motion: and, ſaith not,
Figures are not ſimply the Cauſes of moving upwards or
wards, and when the words of a Text receive, tranſpoſed, a ſence
different from that which they found, taken in the order wherein
the Author diſpoſeth them, it is not convenient to inverte them.
And who will affirm that Ariſtotle deſiring to write a Propoſition,
would diſpoſe the words in ſuch ſort, that they ſhould import a
different, nay, a contrary ſence? contrary, I ſay, becauſe
ſtood as they are written; they ſay, that Figures are not the
Cauſes of Motion, but inverted, they ſay, that Figures are the
Cauſes of Motion, &c.
Moreover, if the intent of Aristotle had been to ſay, that Figures
are not ſimply the Cauſes of moving upwards or downwards, but
only Cauſes Secundum quid, he would not have adjoyned thoſe
words, but they are Cauſes of the more ſwift or ſlow Motion; yea, the
ſubjoining this would have been not only ſuperfluous but falſe, for
that the whole tenour of the Propoſition would import thus much.
Figures are not the abſolute Cauſes of moving upwards or
wards, but are the abſolute Cauſe of the ſwift or ſlow Motion;
which is not true: becauſe the primary Cauſes of greater or leſſer
Velocity, are by Ariſtotle in the 4th of his Phyſicks, Text. 71.
buted to the greater or leſſer Gravity of Moveables, compared
mong themſelves, and to the greater or leſſer Reſiſtance of the
Medium's, depending on their greater or leſs Craſſitude: and theſe
are inſerted by Ariſtotle as the primary Cauſes; and theſe two only
are in that place nominated: and Figure comes afterwards to be
conſidered, Text. 74. rather as an Inſtrumentall Cauſe of the force
of the Gravity, the which divides either with the Figure, or with
the Impetus; and, indeed, Figure by it ſelf without the force of
Gravity or Levity, would opperate nothing.
are not ſimply the Cauſes of moving upwards or downwards, but
only Cauſes Secundum quid, he would not have adjoyned thoſe
words, but they are Cauſes of the more ſwift or ſlow Motion; yea, the
ſubjoining this would have been not only ſuperfluous but falſe, for
that the whole tenour of the Propoſition would import thus much.
Figures are not the abſolute Cauſes of moving upwards or
wards, but are the abſolute Cauſe of the ſwift or ſlow Motion;
which is not true: becauſe the primary Cauſes of greater or leſſer
Velocity, are by Ariſtotle in the 4th of his Phyſicks, Text. 71.
buted to the greater or leſſer Gravity of Moveables, compared
mong themſelves, and to the greater or leſſer Reſiſtance of the
Medium's, depending on their greater or leſs Craſſitude: and theſe
are inſerted by Ariſtotle as the primary Cauſes; and theſe two only
are in that place nominated: and Figure comes afterwards to be
conſidered, Text. 74. rather as an Inſtrumentall Cauſe of the force
of the Gravity, the which divides either with the Figure, or with
the Impetus; and, indeed, Figure by it ſelf without the force of
Gravity or Levity, would opperate nothing.
Iadde, that if Ariſtotle had an opinion that Figure had been in
ſome ſort the Cauſe of moving or not moving, the inquiſition
which he makes immediately in a doubtfull manner, whence it
comes, that a Plate of Lead flotes, would have been impertinent;
for if but juſt before he had ſaid, that Figure was in a certain ſort
the Cauſe of moving or not moving, he needed not to call in
Queſtion, by what Cauſe the Plate of Lead ſwims, and then
bing the Cauſe to its Figure; and framing a diſcourſe in this manner.
Figure is a Cauſe Secundum quid of not ſinking: but, now, if it be
doubted, for what Cauſe a thin Plate of Lead goes not to the bottom;
it ſhall be anſwered, that that proceeds from its Figure: a diſcourſe
ſome ſort the Cauſe of moving or not moving, the inquiſition
which he makes immediately in a doubtfull manner, whence it
comes, that a Plate of Lead flotes, would have been impertinent;
for if but juſt before he had ſaid, that Figure was in a certain ſort
the Cauſe of moving or not moving, he needed not to call in
Queſtion, by what Cauſe the Plate of Lead ſwims, and then
bing the Cauſe to its Figure; and framing a diſcourſe in this manner.
Figure is a Cauſe Secundum quid of not ſinking: but, now, if it be
doubted, for what Cauſe a thin Plate of Lead goes not to the bottom;
it ſhall be anſwered, that that proceeds from its Figure: a diſcourſe