1each other, as in Elementary bodies; for that they depend not
on the primary qualities, cold and heat, which are contraries; but
on the more or leſs matter in proportion to quantity: now much
and little, ſpeak onely a relative oppoſition, that is, the leaſt of
oppoſitions, and which hath nothing to do with generation and
corruption.
on the primary qualities, cold and heat, which are contraries; but
on the more or leſs matter in proportion to quantity: now much
and little, ſpeak onely a relative oppoſition, that is, the leaſt of
oppoſitions, and which hath nothing to do with generation and
corruption.
SAGR. Therefore affirming, that denſity and rarity, which
mongſt the Elements ſhould be the cauſe of gravity and levity,
which may be the cauſes of contrary motions ſurſùm and
ſùm, on which, again, dependeth the contrarieties for generation
and corruption; it ſufficeth not that they be thoſe denſneſſes and
rareneſſes which under the ſame quantity, or (if you will) maſs
contain much or little matter, but it is neceſſary that they be
neſſes and rareneſſes cauſed by the primary qualities, hot and
cold, otherwiſe they would operate nothing at all: but if this be
ſo, Ariſtotle hath deceived us, for that he ſhould have told it us at
firſt, and ſo have left written that thoſe ſimple bodies are
rable and corruptible, that are moveable with ſimple motions
upwards and downwards, dependent on levity and gravity,
ſed by rarity and denſity, made by much or little matter, by
reaſon of heat and cold; and not to have ſtaid at the ſimple
tion ſurſùm and deorſùm: for I aſſure you that to the making
of bodies heavy or light, whereby they come to be moved with
contrary motions, any kind of denſity and rarity ſufficeth,
ther it proceed from heat and cold, or what elſe you pleaſe; for
heat and cold have nothing to do in this affair: and you ſhall
upon experiment find, that a red hot iron, which you muſt grant
to have heat, weigheth as much, and moves in the ſame manner
as when it is cold. But to overpaſs this alſo, how know you but
that Cœleſtial rarity and denſity depend on heat and cold?
mongſt the Elements ſhould be the cauſe of gravity and levity,
which may be the cauſes of contrary motions ſurſùm and
ſùm, on which, again, dependeth the contrarieties for generation
and corruption; it ſufficeth not that they be thoſe denſneſſes and
rareneſſes which under the ſame quantity, or (if you will) maſs
contain much or little matter, but it is neceſſary that they be
neſſes and rareneſſes cauſed by the primary qualities, hot and
cold, otherwiſe they would operate nothing at all: but if this be
ſo, Ariſtotle hath deceived us, for that he ſhould have told it us at
firſt, and ſo have left written that thoſe ſimple bodies are
rable and corruptible, that are moveable with ſimple motions
upwards and downwards, dependent on levity and gravity,
ſed by rarity and denſity, made by much or little matter, by
reaſon of heat and cold; and not to have ſtaid at the ſimple
tion ſurſùm and deorſùm: for I aſſure you that to the making
of bodies heavy or light, whereby they come to be moved with
contrary motions, any kind of denſity and rarity ſufficeth,
ther it proceed from heat and cold, or what elſe you pleaſe; for
heat and cold have nothing to do in this affair: and you ſhall
upon experiment find, that a red hot iron, which you muſt grant
to have heat, weigheth as much, and moves in the ſame manner
as when it is cold. But to overpaſs this alſo, how know you but
that Cœleſtial rarity and denſity depend on heat and cold?
Ariſtotle defective
in aſſigning the
cauſes why the
ments are
ble & corruptible.
in aſſigning the
cauſes why the
ments are
ble & corruptible.
SIMPL. I know it, becauſe thoſe qualities are not amongſt
Cœleſtial bodies, which are neither hot nor cold.
Cœleſtial bodies, which are neither hot nor cold.
SALV. I ſee we are again going about to engulph our ſelves in
a bottomleſs ocean, where there is no getting to ſhore; for this
is a Navigation without Compaſs, Stars, Oars or Rudder: ſo that
it will follow either that we be forced to paſs from Shelf to Shelf,
or run on ground, or to ſail continually in danger of being loſt.
Therefore, if according to your advice we ſhall proceed in our
main deſign, we muſt of neceſſity for the preſent overpaſs this
general conſideration, whether direct motion be neceſſary in
ture, and agree with ſome bodies; and come to the particular
demonſtrations, obſervations and experiments; propounding in
the firſt place all thoſe that have been hitherto alledged by
ſtotle, Ptolomey, and others, to prove the ſtability of the Earth,
deavouring in the next place to anſwer them: and producing in
a bottomleſs ocean, where there is no getting to ſhore; for this
is a Navigation without Compaſs, Stars, Oars or Rudder: ſo that
it will follow either that we be forced to paſs from Shelf to Shelf,
or run on ground, or to ſail continually in danger of being loſt.
Therefore, if according to your advice we ſhall proceed in our
main deſign, we muſt of neceſſity for the preſent overpaſs this
general conſideration, whether direct motion be neceſſary in
ture, and agree with ſome bodies; and come to the particular
demonſtrations, obſervations and experiments; propounding in
the firſt place all thoſe that have been hitherto alledged by
ſtotle, Ptolomey, and others, to prove the ſtability of the Earth,
deavouring in the next place to anſwer them: and producing in
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