1inſtead of Ariſtotle, to prove that they do not.
The anſwer to
Ariſtotles firſt
gument.
Ariſtotles firſt
gument.
SIMPL. This is proved by Ariſtotle in the ſame place, when he
ſaith, that the natural motion of the parts is the right motion
downwards to the centre of the Univerſe; ſo that the circular
motion cannot naturally agree therewith.
ſaith, that the natural motion of the parts is the right motion
downwards to the centre of the Univerſe; ſo that the circular
motion cannot naturally agree therewith.
SALV. But do not you ſee, that thoſe very words carry in them
a confutation of this ſolution?
a confutation of this ſolution?
SIMPL. How? and where?
SALV. Doth not he ſay that the circular motion of the Earth
would be violent? and therefore not eternal? and that this is
ſurd, for that the order of the World is eternal?
would be violent? and therefore not eternal? and that this is
ſurd, for that the order of the World is eternal?
SIMPL. He ſaith ſo.
SALV. But if that which is violent cannot be eternal, then by
converſion, that which cannot be eternal, cannot be natural: but
the motion of the Earth downwards cannot be otherwiſe eternal;
therefore much leſſe can it be natural: nor can any other motion
be natural to it, ſave onely that which is eternal. But if we make
the Earth move with a circular motion, this may be eternal to it,
and to its parts, and therefore natural.
converſion, that which cannot be eternal, cannot be natural: but
the motion of the Earth downwards cannot be otherwiſe eternal;
therefore much leſſe can it be natural: nor can any other motion
be natural to it, ſave onely that which is eternal. But if we make
the Earth move with a circular motion, this may be eternal to it,
and to its parts, and therefore natural.
That which is
violent, cannot be
eternal, and that
which cannot be
ternal, cannot be
natural.
violent, cannot be
eternal, and that
which cannot be
ternal, cannot be
natural.
SIMPL. The right motion is moſt natural to the parts of the
Earth, and is to them eternal; nor ſhall it ever happen that they
move not with a right motion; alwayes provided that the
diments be removed.
Earth, and is to them eternal; nor ſhall it ever happen that they
move not with a right motion; alwayes provided that the
diments be removed.
SALV. You equivocate Simplicius; and I will try to free you
from the equivoke. Tell me, therefore, do you think that a
Ship which ſhould ſail from the Strait of Gibralter towards
ſtina can eternally move towards that Coaſt? keeping alwayes an
equal courſe?
from the equivoke. Tell me, therefore, do you think that a
Ship which ſhould ſail from the Strait of Gibralter towards
ſtina can eternally move towards that Coaſt? keeping alwayes an
equal courſe?
SIMPL. No doubtleſſe.
SALV. And why not?
SIMPL. Becauſe that Voyage is bounded and terminated
tween the Herculean Pillars, and the ſhore of the Holy-land; and
the diſtance being limited, it is paſt in a finite time, unleſſe one by
returning back ſhould with a contrary motion begin the ſame
age anew; but this would be an interrupted and no continued
motion.
tween the Herculean Pillars, and the ſhore of the Holy-land; and
the diſtance being limited, it is paſt in a finite time, unleſſe one by
returning back ſhould with a contrary motion begin the ſame
age anew; but this would be an interrupted and no continued
motion.
SALV. Very true. But the Navigation from the Strait of
galanes by the Pacifick Ocean, the Moluccha's, the Cape di buona
Speranza, and from thence by the ſame Strait, and then again by
the Pacifick Ocean, &c. do you believe that it may be
tuated?
galanes by the Pacifick Ocean, the Moluccha's, the Cape di buona
Speranza, and from thence by the ſame Strait, and then again by
the Pacifick Ocean, &c. do you believe that it may be
tuated?
SIMPL. It may; for this being a circumgyration, which
turneth about its ſelf, with infinite replications, it may be
ated without any interruption.
turneth about its ſelf, with infinite replications, it may be
ated without any interruption.
SALV. A Ship then may in this Voyage continue ſailing
nally.
nally.
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