1well to this of Copernicus, as to the Vulgar Opinion; ſo that they
are both alike concerned in the ſolution of it: But ſo far as it
oppoſeth that of Copernicus, its anſwer is eaſy from the Firſt
Maxim.
are both alike concerned in the ſolution of it: But ſo far as it
oppoſeth that of Copernicus, its anſwer is eaſy from the Firſt
Maxim.
But that which is added in the Fourth Claſſe, That it follow
eth from this Opinion, that Hell (for that it is included by the
Earth, as is commonly held) doth move circularly about the
Sun, and in Heaven, and that ſo Hell it ſelf will be found to be
in Heaven; diſcovers, in my judgment, nothing but Ignorance
and Calumny, that inſinuate the belief of their Arguments ra
ther by a corrupt ſenſe of the Words, than by ſolid Reaſons
taken from the boſome of the Nature of things. For in this
place Heaven is no wiſe to be taken for Paradice, nor according
to the Senſe of Common Opinion, but (as hath been ſaid above)
according to the Copernican Hypotheſis, for the ſubtileſt and
Pureſt Aire, far more tenuous and rare than this of ours; where
upon the Solid Bodies of the Stars, Moon, and Earth, in their
Circular and Ordinary Motions, do paſſe thorow it, (the Sphære
of Fire being by this Opinion taken away.) And as according
to the Common Opinion it was no abſurdity to ſay, That Hell
being demerged in the Centre of the Earth and of the World it
ſelf, hath Heaven and Paradice above and below it, yea and on
all ſides of it, and that it is in the middle of all the Cœleſtial
Bodies (as if it were poſited in a more unworthy place) ſo, nei
ther in this will it be deemed an Error, if from the other Syſtem,
which differeth not much from the Vulgar one, thoſe or the like
things follow as do in that. For both in that of Copernicus, and
the Vulgar Hypotheſis, Hell is ſuppoſed to be placed amongſt the
very dreggs of the Elements, and in the Centre of the Earth it
ſelf, for the confinement and puniſhment of the damned. There
fore we ought not for want of Reaſons to trifle away time in
vain and impertinent ſtrife about words, ſince their true Senſe
is clouded then with no obſcurity, and in regard that it is very
clear to any man indued with a refined Intellect, and that hath
but an indifferent judgment in the Liberal Arts, and eſpecially
in the Mathematicks, that the ſame, or not very different Gon
ſequences do flow from both theſe Opinions.
eth from this Opinion, that Hell (for that it is included by the
Earth, as is commonly held) doth move circularly about the
Sun, and in Heaven, and that ſo Hell it ſelf will be found to be
in Heaven; diſcovers, in my judgment, nothing but Ignorance
and Calumny, that inſinuate the belief of their Arguments ra
ther by a corrupt ſenſe of the Words, than by ſolid Reaſons
taken from the boſome of the Nature of things. For in this
place Heaven is no wiſe to be taken for Paradice, nor according
to the Senſe of Common Opinion, but (as hath been ſaid above)
according to the Copernican Hypotheſis, for the ſubtileſt and
Pureſt Aire, far more tenuous and rare than this of ours; where
upon the Solid Bodies of the Stars, Moon, and Earth, in their
Circular and Ordinary Motions, do paſſe thorow it, (the Sphære
of Fire being by this Opinion taken away.) And as according
to the Common Opinion it was no abſurdity to ſay, That Hell
being demerged in the Centre of the Earth and of the World it
ſelf, hath Heaven and Paradice above and below it, yea and on
all ſides of it, and that it is in the middle of all the Cœleſtial
Bodies (as if it were poſited in a more unworthy place) ſo, nei
ther in this will it be deemed an Error, if from the other Syſtem,
which differeth not much from the Vulgar one, thoſe or the like
things follow as do in that. For both in that of Copernicus, and
the Vulgar Hypotheſis, Hell is ſuppoſed to be placed amongſt the
very dreggs of the Elements, and in the Centre of the Earth it
ſelf, for the confinement and puniſhment of the damned. There
fore we ought not for want of Reaſons to trifle away time in
vain and impertinent ſtrife about words, ſince their true Senſe
is clouded then with no obſcurity, and in regard that it is very
clear to any man indued with a refined Intellect, and that hath
but an indifferent judgment in the Liberal Arts, and eſpecially
in the Mathematicks, that the ſame, or not very different Gon
ſequences do flow from both theſe Opinions.
Heaven accord
ing to Copernicus
is the ſame with
the moſt tenuous
Æther; but dif
ferent from Para
dice, which ſar
paſſeth all the
Heavens.
ing to Copernicus
is the ſame with
the moſt tenuous
Æther; but dif
ferent from Para
dice, which ſar
paſſeth all the
Heavens.
By theſe Maxims and their Interpretations it appears, that
the Pythagorick and Copernican Opinion is ſo probable, that its
poſſible it may exceed even the Ptolemaick in probability; and
ſince there may be deduced from it a moſt ordinate Syſteme, and
a mroe admirable and myſterious Hypotheſis of the World
than from that of Ptolomy: the Authorities of Sacred Scripture
and Theological Tenents in the mean while not oppoſing it, be
ing opportunely and appoſitely (as I have ſhown how they may
the Pythagorick and Copernican Opinion is ſo probable, that its
poſſible it may exceed even the Ptolemaick in probability; and
ſince there may be deduced from it a moſt ordinate Syſteme, and
a mroe admirable and myſterious Hypotheſis of the World
than from that of Ptolomy: the Authorities of Sacred Scripture
and Theological Tenents in the mean while not oppoſing it, be
ing opportunely and appoſitely (as I have ſhown how they may