‘Tis againe replyed by the same Objector, (Ibid) That it is not credible, the eve should bee mistaken in judging of the Starres and Heavens; because those being light bodies, are the primarie and proper Objects of that sence.

I answer: The deceit here is not concerning the light or colour of those bodies, but concerning their motion; which is neither the primarie nor proper Object of the Eye, but reckoned amongst the Objecta Communia.

2 Another common Argument against this motion, is taken from the danger that would thence arise, unto all high buildings, which by this would quickely bee ruinated, and scattered abroad.

I answer:² This motion is supposed to be naturall: and those things which are according to nature, have contrary effects to other matters, which are by force and violence. Now it belongs unto things of this later kind, to be inconstant and hurtfull; whereas those of the first kinde must be regular, and tending to conservation. The motion of the Earth is alwaies equall and like it selfe: not by starts and fits. If a glasse of Beere may stand firmely enough in a Shippe, when it moves swiftly upon a smooth streame, much lesse then will the motion of the Earth, which is more naturall; and so consequently more equall, cause any danger unto those buildings that are erected upon it. And therefore to suspect any such event, would bee like the feare of Lactantius, who would not acknowledge the being of any Antipodes,³ lest then he might bee forced to grant that they should fall downe unto the Heavens. We have equall reason to be afraid of high buildings, if the whole World above us were whirled about with such a mad celeritie as our adversaries suppose; for then there would be but small hopes, that this little point of Earth should escape from the rest.

But supposing (saith⁴ Rosse) that this motion were naturall to the Earth, yet it is not naturall to Townes and Buildings, for these are artificiall.

To which I answer: Ha, ha, he.

3 Another Argument to this purpose is taken from the rest and quietnes of the aire about us; which could not be, if there were any such swift motion of the Earth. If a man riding upon a fleet horse, doe perceive the aire to beat against his face, as if there were a winde, what a vehement tempest should wee continually feele from the East, if the Earth were turned about with such a swift revolution as is supposed.

Vnto this ‘tis usually answered, That the aire also is carried along with the same motion of the Earth: For if the concavitie of the Moones Orbe, which is of so smooth and glabrous a superficies, may (according to our adversaries) drive along with it the greatest part of this Elementarie World, all the regions of Fire, and all the vast upper regions of Aire, and (as some will have it) the two lower Regions, together with the Sea likewise; for from hence (saith Alex. Rosse, lib. 1. sect. 1. cap. 3.) is it, that betwixt the Tropicks there is a constant Easterne wind, and a continuall flowing of the Sea Westward; I say, if the motion of the Heavens which are smooth bodies, may bee able to carry with it so great a part of the elementarie World: or if the rugged parts of the Moons Body be able to carry with it so great a part of the aire, as Fromondus (Ant. c. 16.) affirms: much more then may our earth, which is a rugged mountainous Body, be able to turne about so little a part of the world, as that vaporous aire next unto it.

Suppose the inward circle to represent the Earth; and the outward, the thicker aire which encompasses it. Now it is easily conceivable, that the revolution of so great a Body as this Globe of Earth, may turne about by it’s meere motion (if there were nothing els) so little a part of the adjoyning aire, as is here represented: And yet,

1 The disproportion betwixt the thicknesse of the Earth, and this Orb of Aire, is farre greater than could bee exprest in the Figure, being but as twenty miles; which is at most the thicknesse of this Aire, unto 3456 miles, which is the semidiameter of our Earth, and so is but as an insensible number in respect of this other.

2 Besides the meere motion of the Earth, which in probabilities (being such a rugged body) might bee enough to carry so little a part of the aire along with it; there is also (as wee suppose) a magneticall vigor which proceeds from it, whereby ‘tis more able to make all things that are neere unto it, to observe the same revolution.

But if it be so (saith⁵ Alex. Ross.) that not only the man, but the medium also, and the Object bee moved: this must needs be such a great hinderance to the sight, that the eye cannot judge exactly of any thing. For suppose the man alone to be in a motion, hee could not see so well as when hee is still; but now if not only he, but his spectacles, and booke were all mooved, he would not bee able to discerne any thing distinctly.

I answer: the consequence were pertinent, if all these were severall motions: but if the Subject, and Medium, and Object were all carried with one and the same equall motion (as it is here supposed) this could be no impediment to the act of seeing, but it would bee all one with the rest; because by this means, they are not severed from one another; and therefore the species are not disturbed. ‘Tis an excellent saying of⁶ Gallilaeus, and may serve for the resolution of many such doubts as these: Motus eatenus tanquàm motus operatur, quatenus relationem habet ad eas res quae ìpso distituuntur, in ijs verò-rebus, quae totae aequaliter de eo participant, nihil operatur, & ita se habet ac si nullus esset. If a man be within some roome of a Ship, he may read altogether as easily when the Ship moves, as when it stands still.

4 Another Argument against this circular motion of the earth· is grounded upon that common Principle amongst the Aristotelians: Vnius corporis simplicis unum tantum est motus: One kind of body ha’s but one kind of motion. But now the Earth and Water ha’s a motion of descent: the Aire, a motion of ascent; and therefore none of them can have any circular motion naturall unto them.

I answer: First, these right motions of elementarie bodies belong onely to the parts of them, and that too when they are out of their proper places; so that the whole to which they belong, may notwithstanding this, have another motion of it’s owne. But secondly, this saying which Aristotle cals a Principle, will not consist with other evident experiments of nature. Thus, though a Loadstone in respect of it’s matter and condensitie, naturally tends downward; yet this do’s not hinder, but that in respect of some other qualities, as it’s desire of union and coition to another loadstone, it may also naturally move upwards. From whence it will follow, that the same elementarie bodie may have divers natural motions.

5 The gravitie and magnitude of this Earthy Globe, do make it altogether unfit for so swift a motion.

I answer: First, Heavinesse can onely be applyed unto those bodies which are out of their proper places, or unto such parts as are severed from the whole to which they belong. And therefore the Globe of Earth, considered as whole, and in it’s right place, cannot truly bee called heavy. I deny not, but that there is in it, and so likewise in the other Planets, an ineptitude to motion, by reason of the matter and condensitie of their bodies: And so likewise there is, as truly (though not according to the same degrees) in the least particle of a materiall condensed substance: so that this cannot reasonably be pretended as a just impediment, why the earth should be incapable of such a motion. Secondly, and though this Globe be of so vast a magnitude, yet as nature bestowes upon other creatures (for instance an Eagle and a Flye) spirits, and motive powers, proportionable to their severall bodies: so likewise may she indowe the Earth with a motive facultie answerable to it’s greatnesse. Or if this may make the Earth incapable of so swift a motion, as is supposed, much more then will the Heavens bee disabled for that greater swiftnesse which is imagined in them. I might adde, the Globe of the Sun and Iupiter are observed to move about their owne centres; and therefore the Earth, which is farre lesse than either of them, is not by reason of it’s too great magnitude made unfit for such a revolution. Thirdly, as for the swiftnesse of the Earth’s course, it do’s not exceed (all circumstances well considered) the celeritie of some other motions, with which we are acquainted; as that of the clouds, when driven by a tempestuous wind;⁷ that of a Bullet shot from a Cannon, which in the space, a minute do’s fly 4 miles. Or as another hath observed in the second scruple of an hour it may passe the fifteenth part of a Germane mile: Than which, there is not any point in the Earth’s Equinoctiall that moves faster; and though a Bullet bee much slower in moving a greater distance, yet for so little a space, while the force of the pouder is most fresh and powerfull, it do’s equal the swiftnesse of the Earth. And yet,

1 A bullet or cloud is carried in it’s whole body, being fain to break it’s way through the aire round about it: but now the earth (in respect of this first motion) do’s remaine still in the same scituation, and move onely about it’s owne centre.

2 The motion of a Bullet is violent, and against it’s nature, which do’s strongly incline it to move downwards. Whereas the Earth being considered as whole, and in it’s proper place, is not heavy, nor do’s it containe any repugnancie to a circular motion.

6 The chiefe Argument, on which our adversaries do most insist, is this: If there were such a motion of the Earth as is supposed,⁸ then those bodies which are severed from it in the Aire, would be forsaken by it. The clouds would seeme to rise and set as the Starres. The Birds would be carried away from their nests. No heavy body could fall perpendicular. An Arrow or Bullet being shot from East to West by the same violence, will not bee carried an equall distance from us, but we should by the revolution of our Earth, overtake that which was shot to the East, before it could fall. If a man leaping up should abide in the Aire but one second scruple of an houre, or the sixtieth part of a minute, the Earth in that space, would withdraw it selfe from him almost a quarter of a mile. All these and many other such strange inferences, which are directly contrary to sence and experience, would follow from this motion of the Earth.

There are three severall wayes most frequently used for the resolving of these kind of doubts.

1 From those magneticall qualities, which all elementarie bodies do partake of.

2 From the like motions of other things within the roome of a sailing Ship.

3 From the like participation of motion in the open parts of a Ship.

1 For those magneticall properties, with which all these bodies are endowed. For the better understanding of this, you must know, That besides those common elementarie qualities of heat, coldnesse, drinesse, moisture, &c. which arise from the predominancie of severall Elements; there are likewise other qualities (not so well known to the Antients) which wee call magneticall, of which every Particle in the Terrestriall Globe do’s necessarily participate: and whether it be joyned to this Globe by continuitie or contiguitie; or whether it be severed from it, as the Clouds in the second Region, a Bird, or Bullet in the Aire; yet do’s it still retaine it’s magneticall qualities, together with all those operations that proceed from them.

Now from these properties doe wee suppose the circular motion of the Earth to arise.

If you aske, what probabilities there are, to prove that the Earth is indowed with any such affections. I answer: ‘Tis likely, that the lower parts of this Globe do not consist of such a soft fructifying Earth, as there is in the surface (because there can be no such use for it, as here, and nature do’s nothing in vain;) but rather, of some hard rocky substance, since we may well conceive, that these lower parts are pressed close together by the weight of all those heavy bodies above them. Now ‘tis probable, that this rocky substance is a Load-stone, rather than a Iaspis, Adamant, Marble, or any other; because experience teacheth us, that the Earth and Loadstone do agree together in so many properties. Suppose a man were to judge the matter of divers bodies; each of which should bee wrapt up in some covering from his eye, so that he might not only examine them by some other outward signes: If in this examination he should find any particular body which had all the properties that are peculiar to a Load-stone, hee would in reason conclude it to be of that nature, rather than any other. Now there is altogether as much reason why wee should inferre, that the inward parts of the Earth doe consist of a magneticall substance. The agreement of these two you may see largely set forth in the treatise of D. Gilbert. I will instance only in one Example; which of it self may sufficiently evidence, that the Globe of Earth do’s partake of the like affections with the load-stone. In the mariners needle you may observe the magneticall notions of direction, variation, declination; the two last of which are found to be different, according to the varietie of places. Now this difference cannot proceed from the needle it selfe, because that is the same every where. Nor can we well conceive how it should bee caused by the Heavens; for then the variation would not be alwaies alike in the same place, but diverse, according to those severall parts of the heaven, which at severall times should happen to bee over it: And therefore, it must necessarily proceed from the Earth, which being it selfe endowed with magneticall affections, do’s diversly dispose the motions of the needle, according to the difference of that disponent vertue which is in it’s severall Ports.

Now to apply this unto the particular instances of the Objection: We say, though some parts of this great Magnet the Earth, may according to their matter be severed from the whole; yet are they alwayes joyned to it by a communion of the same magneticall qualities; and doe no lesse observe these kinde of motions, when they are separated from the whole, than if they were united to it. Nor need this seeme incredible, that a heavy Bullet, in such a swift violent course, should bee able to observe this magneticall revolution of the whole Earth; when as we see that those great bodies of Saturne, Iupiter, &c. hanging in the vaste spaces of the aetheriall Aire, do so constantly and regularly move on, in their appointed courses: Though we could not shew any similitude of this motion in these inferior bodies, with which we are acquainted; yet wee must know, there may be many things which agree to the whole frame, that are not discernable in the divers parts of it. ‘Tis naturall unto the Sea to ebbe and flow, but yet there is not this motion in every drop or bucket of Water. So if we consider every part of our bodies severally, the humours, bones, flesh, &c. they are all of them apt to tend downewards, as being of a condensed matter; but yet consider them according to the whole Frame, and then the bloud or humours may naturally ascend upwards to the Head, as well as descend to any of the lower parts. Thus the whole Earth may move round, though the severall parts of it have not any such particular revolution of their owne. Thus likewise, though each condensed body being considered by it selfe, may seem to have only a motion of descent; yet in reference to that whole Frame of which it is a part, it may also partake of another motion that may be naturall unto it.

But some may here object: Though the Earth were endowed with such magneticall affections, yet what probabilitie is there that it should have such a revolution? I answer: ‘Tis observed of those other magneticall bodies of Saturne, Iupiter, and the Sun, that they are carried about their owne centers; and therefore ‘tis not improbable, but that it may be so with the Earth also; which if any deny, he must shew a reason why in this respect they should be unlike.

Yea, but though the Earth did move round, what ground is there to affirme that those bodies which are severed from it, as a Bullet, or the clouds, should follow it in the same course?

I answer: Those spots which are discovered about the Sun, and are thought to bee clouds or evaporations from his body, are observed to bee carried about according to his revolution. Thus the Moone is turned round by our Earth: the foure lesser Planets by the body of Iupiter. Nay, thus all the Planets in their severall Orbes, are moved about by the revolution of the Sunne, upon it’s owne Axis (saith Keplar) and therefore much more may an Arrow or Bullet be carried round by the magneticall motion of our Earth.

The second way, whereby some answer unto the instances of this Argument, is, by shewing the like motions of other things within some roome of a sailing Ship. Thus experience teaches (say they) that a candle, as also the fumes that come from it, will alwayes keep the same scituation in the swiftest motion of a Ship, as if it did rest immovably, and the flame will not more especially bend one way, or have any troubled fluctuation, but burne as strait and quietly, as if it did stand still. Againe, it ha’s been found (say those that have been versed in these kinde of experiments) that the same force will cast a body but at an equall distance, whether or no the body do move with, or against the motion of the Ship. As also that any weight being let fall, will descend in as true a perpendicular, as if the Ship did stand still. If a man leaping up, doe tarry in the Aire one second minute of an houre, yet the Ship will not in it’s greatest swiftnesse (as it should according to the calculation of our adversaries) be carried from him at least fifteen foot. If wee suppose a man to jumpe in such a Ship, he will not be able to passe farther, when he jumps against the motion of it, than when hee jumps with it. All which particulars may argue, that these things are carried along together, by the common motion of the Ship. Now if bodies may be thus jointly moved by such a praeternaturall motion, much more then will they accompanie the Earth in it’s diurnall revolution, which we suppose to bee naturall unto them, and as a Law imposed by God in their first Creation.

If the flame of a candle, or the smoke that comes from it (things that are so easily movable) are notwithstanding carried so equally, and without any disturbance, by the motion of a Ship: then also the Cloudes in the Aire, and all other light Bodies, may well enough be turned about by the revolution of our Earth.

If an equall force wil cast an heavy body but at an equall distance, whether or no it move with, or against the motion of the Ship; then may wee easily conceive, that an Arrow or Bullet being shot with the same violence, will passe but the same space on the Earth, whether or no it be shot towards the East or West.

If a heavy Body, while the Ship do’s move, will fall downe in a strait Line, then it is not the revolution of our Earth that can hinder a perpendicular descent.

If a man leaping up in a Ship, may abide in the Aire on the second scruple of an houre, and yet this Ship in it’s greatest swiftnesse not withdraw it selfe fifteene foot; then will not the Earth in that space go from him almost a quarter of a mile.

But against this ‘tis objected,⁹ That the Earth ha’s the similitude of an open Ship, and not of any room that is close. And though it bee true, that when the Roofe and the Walls doe all move together, the Aire which is included betwixt them, must bee carried along by the same motion; yet it is not so with the Earth, because that hath not any such Walls or Roofe, wherein it may containe and carry along with it the medium. And therefore experience will rather argue against this supposed revolution. Thus ‘tis observed, that a stone being let fall from the Mast of a Ship that moves swiftly, will not descend to the same point, as if the Ship did stand still. From whence it will follow, that if our Earth had such a circular motion, then any heavy body being let fall from some high Tower, or other steep place, would not descend unto that point of Earth which was directly under it at the beginning.

To this wee answer; That the Aire which moves along with our Earth, is as well limited in certaine bounds, as that which is included in a roome. If you aske where these bounds are terminated: I answer neither by the utmost parts of the World, nor yet by the concavitie of the Moons Orb (as Fromondus would have us affirme) but by the Sphaere of vaparous Aire that encompasses our Earth; or which is all one, by the Orbe of magneticall vigor, which proceeds from it. And besides, tis considerable that all Earthly Bodies are not onely contained within these limits, as things are in a close roome, but also as parts in that whole to which they belong.

2 Though the carrying along of the medium may solve the motion of light Bodies in a Ship, as the flame of a candle, smoake, or the like; yet this cannot concurre to that which hath bin said of heavy Bodies, as a man leaping up, a Bullet descending, &c. since it is not the motion of the meere Aire that is able to make these partake of the same motion with the Ship. Vnto that Argument which he urges from the experiment of a Stone falling in an open Ship, Wee answer:

1 Though the instance of a Ship, may serve as a proofe for this opinion, it being an Argument a minori ad majus, from an accidentall motion to a naturall; yet it will not serve against it. For though it were not thus in accidentall motions; yet this would not hinder but that it might be so in those that are supposed to be proper and naturall.

2 As for that experiment it selfe, ‘tis but a groundlesse imagination, and was never yet confirmed by any particular experience, because ‘tis certaine the event would be clean otherwise, as shall be prooved in the third way of answering.

3 The third and last way of cleering the doubts in the sixth Argument, is by shewing the like participation of motion, in those things that are in the open parts of a Ship. To which purpose Gallilaeus urges this experiment:¹⁰ If any one should let fall a Stone from an high Mast, he would find lapidem in eundem semper Navis locum decidere, seu consistat illa, seu quantacunque velocitate moveatur: that the Stone would alwayes descend unto the very same place, whether or no the Ship did move or stand still. The reason of which is, because the motion of the Ship is likewise impressed in the Stone: which impression is not equally prevalent in a light body, as a Feather, or Wooll, because the Aire which ha’s power over them, is not carried along by the same motion of the Ship. Thus likewise will it be in this other experiment: If a man upon a running Horse should in his swiftest course let fall a Bullet or Stone, these heavy Bodies, besides their owne descent, would also participate that transverse motion of the Horse. For as those things that are throwne from us, do continue the it motion when they are out of the hand in the open Aire: so likewise must it bee when the force is conferred by that motion which the arm ha’s from the Horse. While a man is riding, his arme is also carried by the same swiftnes of the Horse; therefore, if hee should onely open his hand and let fall any thing, it would not descend in a strait Line, but must necessarily be driven forward, by reason of that force impressed in it by the swiftnesse of the Horse, which is also communicated to the arme: it being all one in effect, whether or no the arme be moved by a particular motion of it’s owne, as it is in casting of things from us; or by the common motion of the Body, as it is in dropping of any thing from us, either when wee are on the toppe of some sayling Shippe, as in the Former; or on some running Horse, as in this Later instance.

What hath been said concerning the motion of descent, is likewise applyable, both to that which is upward, and that which is transversall. So that when ‘tis objected, if the Earth did move, then a Bullet that were shot up perpendicularly would bee forsaken by it, and not descend to the place from whence it arose: Wee answer, that the Cannon which is upon the Earth, together with the Bullet in it, doe partake of the same circular motion, with the Earth, and this perhaps our adversaries will grant, whilest wee suppose the Bullet to remaine still in the Cannon, all the difficultie will bee to shew how it must necessarily observe the same motion, when it is shot out into the open Aire. For the better explication of this, you may note this following Figure.¹¹

Where wee suppose A. C. to bee a Cannon perpendicularly, erected with a Bullet in it at B. which if it were immovable, wee grant that the Bullet being discharged, must ascend in a just perpendicular. But now conceive this Cannon to move along with the Earth, then in that space of time while the Bullet by the force of the pouder is ascending to the top of the Bore, the Cannon will be transferred to the scituation D. E. so that the Bullet must bee moved according to the Line F. G. which is not directly upright, but somewhat declining. Now the motion of the Bullet in the Aire, must necessarily be conformed unto that direction that is impressed in it by the Cannon from whence it is shot, and so consequently it must bee continued according to the Line F. G. and therefore will alwayes keep perpendicularly over the point from which it did ascend.

If you reply, that the motion of the Bullet in the Cannon must needs bee so so swift, that the Earth cannot carry the Cannon from C. to E. in the same space of time, wherein the Bullet do’s move from B. to A. I answer: ‘tis not materiall whether the Earth bee of a greater or lesser swiftnesse than the Bullet, because the declination must alwayes bee proportionable to the motion of the Earth, and if wee suppose this to bee slower than the Bullet, then the declination of the Line F. G. will bee so much the lesse.

This truth may yet farther bee illustrated by the practise of those Fowlers, who use to kill Birds as they are flying: Concerning which Art, tis commonly thought that these men direct their aimes to some certaine space in the Aire, just before the Birds, where they conceive the Bullet wil meet with them in their flight; whereas the truth is, they proceed in this case, the very same way, as if the Birds did stand still, by a direct aiming at their bodies, and following of their flight by the motion of the piece, till at length, having got a perfect aime, they discharge, and do hit altogether as surely, as if the Birds were sitting upon a Tree. From whence wee may observe, that the motion of the piece, as in our aiming, it is made to follow the Birds in their flight (though it be but slow,) yet is communicated to the Bullet in the Aire.

But here it may seeme very difficult to give any reason according to those grounds concerning the flight of birds; which being animated, have a liberty to fly here or there, to tarry for a good space of time in the open Aire, and so ‘tis not easie to conceive what meanes there is, by which they should participate of the Earth’s diurnall revolution.

To this Gallilaeus answers, that the motion of the Aire, as it do’s turne about the Clouds, so doth it also carry with it the Birds, together with such other like things that are in it. For if some violent winde bee able to drive with such swiftnesse a full laden Ship, to throw downe Towers, to turne up Trees, and the like; much more then may the diurnall motion of the Aire, (which do’s so farre exceed in swiftnesse the most tempestuous winde) be able to carry with it the bodies of Birds.

But if all things bee turned about by this revolution,¹² then it should seeme there is no such thing as a right motion, whether of ascent, or descent in a strait Line.

I answer: (Sol) The moving of heavy or light bodies, may bee considered in a double relation.

1 According to the space wherein they move, and then we grant their motions not to bee simple, but mixed of a direct and circular.

2 According to the body or medium wherein they move, and then they may properly be said to have right motions, because they passe through the medium in a strait Line; and therefore it is, that unto us they seeme directly to ascend or descend. Aristotle himselfe would not deny, but that Fire may ascend in a strait Line unto it’s Sphaere, and yet participate also of that circular motion which hee supposes to bee communicated from the Heavens, unto the upper part of the Aire, and it’s owne Region. So likewise must it bee for the descent of any thing. Suppose a Ship in it’s swiftest motion, and a man in it, having some vessell filled with water, should let fall into it a little Ball of Waxe, or some other matter which may be slow in it’s sinking, so that in one minute it should scarse descend the space of a cubit, though the Ship (it may be) in the same time may passe at least a hundred cubits; yet would this still seeme unto the eye to descend in a strait Line; and the other motion which is communicated unto it by the Shippe, would not at all bee discernable in it. And though in this case, the motion were in it selfe composed of a circular and direct; yet in respect of us it would appeare, and so might be stiled exactly strait.

Now if it be thus in those which are generally granted to be praeternaturall motions; wee need not doubt then the possibilitie of the like effect in that motion which wee conceive to be proper and naturall, both to the Earth, and the things that belong unto it.

There is yet another Objection to this purpose urged by¹³ Malapertius, a late Iesuite, who though hee doe with much eagernesse presse this Argument concerning a Bullet or Stone, against the opinion of Copernicus; yet he grants that it might easily be resolved, if the defenders of it would affirme that the Aire did move round with the earth. But this (saith he) they dare not avouch; for then the Comets would always seem to stand stil, being carried about with the revolution of this aire, and then they could not rise or set, as experience shews they doe.

To this it may be answered, that most Comets are above that Sphaere of Aire which is turned round with our Earth, as is manifest by their height. The motion that appeares in them, is caused by the revolution of our Earth, whereby we are turned from them.

As for those which are within the Orbe of our Aire, these do seem to stand still. Such a one was that mentioned by¹⁴ Iosephus, which did constantly hang over Ierusalem; and that likewise which appeared about the time of Agrippa’s death, and for many dayes together did hang over the City of Rome. Wherefore¹⁵ Seneca do’s well distinguish out of Epigenes, betwixt two sorts of Comets, the one being low, and such as seeme immovable, the other higher, and such as did constantly observe their risings and settings, as the Starres.

I have done with all the Arguments of any note or difficultie, that are urged against this diurnall motion of the Earth. Many other cavils there are not worth the naming, which discover themselves to be rather the Objections of a captious, than a doubtfull minde. Amongst which, I might justly passe over those that are set down by¹⁶ Alex. Rosse. But because this Author do’s proceed in his whole discourse with so much scorne and triumph, it will not be amisse therefore to examine what infallible evidence there is in those Arguments upon which hee grounds his boastings.

We have in one chapter no lesse than these nine.

1 If the Earth did move,¹⁷ then would it bee hotter than the Water, because motion do’s produce heate; and for this reason likewise, the Water would be so hot and rarified, that it could not bee congealed; since that also do’s partake of the same motion with the Earth.

2 The Aire which is next the Earth,¹⁸ would be purer, as being rarified with motion.

3 If the Earth did move the Aire,¹⁹ it would cause some sound, but this is no more audible than Pythagoras his Harmony of the Heavens.

4 ‘Twould have been in vaine for Nature to have endowed the Heavens with all conditions requisite for motion,²⁰ if they had been to stand still: As first, they have a round Figure. Secondly, they have neither gravitie nor levity. Thirdly, they are incorruptible. Fourthly, they have no contrary.

5 All similarie parts are of the same nature with the whole:²¹ But each part of the Earth do’s rest in it’s place; therfore also doth the whole.

6 The Sun in the World is as the Heart in a mans Body:²² But the motion of the Heart ceasing, none of the members do stir; therefore also if the Sunne should stand still, the other parts of the World would be without motion.

7 The Sun and Heavens do worke upon these inferior Bodies by their light and motion.²³ So the Moone do’s operate upon the Sea.

8 The Earth is the Foundation of Buildings;²⁴ and therefore must be firme and stable.

9 ‘Tis the constant opinion of Divines,²⁵ that the Heavens shall rest after the day of Iudgement; which they prove from Isa. 60. 20. They Sun shall no more goe downe, neither shall thy Moone withdraw it selfe. So likewise Rev. 10. 6. The Angell sweares that there shall be time no longer; and therefore the Heavens must rest, since by their motion it is that time is measured. And S. Paul sayes, Rom. 8. 20. That all the Creatures are made subject to vanity. Now this can be no other in the Heavens, than the Vanitie of Motion, which the Wise man speaks of, Eccles. 1. 4. The Sunne riseth, and the Sunne goeth downe, &c.

To these it may be answered:

In the first you may note a manifest contradiction,²⁶ when hee will have the Earth to bee hotter than the Water, by reason of this motion; when as notwithstanding he acknowledges the Water to move along with it; and therefore too in the next Line he infers that the Water, because of that heate and rare faction which it receives from this motion with the earth, must be incapable of so much cold as to be congealed into Ice.

But unto that which may be conceived to bee his meaning in this and the next Argument: I answer, if he had fully understood this opinion which hee opposes, he would easily have apprehended that it could not be prejudiced by either of these consequences. For we suppose that not only this Globe of Earth and Water, but also all the vaporous Aire which invirons it, are carried along by the same motion. And therfore, though what hee sayes concerning the heate, which would bee produced by such a motion, were true; yet it would not bee pertinent, since our Earth and Water, and the Aire next unto them, are not by this meanes severed from one another, and so doe not come within the compasse of this Argument.

If any reply, That this will notwithstanding hold true concerning the upper part of the Aire, where there is such a separation of one body from another; and so consequently, an answerable heate: I answer,

1 ‘Tis not generally granted, That motion in all kind of bodies do’s produce heate; some restraine it onely to follid bodies: affirming, That in those which are fluid, it is rather the cause of coldnesse. This is the reason (say they) why running Waters are ever to our sence the coolest: and why amongst those Winds which proceed from the same coasts of Heaven, about the same time of the yeare, the strongest alwaies is the coldest? If you object, that running Waters are not so soone frozen as others: They answer, this is not because they are thereby heated; but because unto congellation, it is requisite that a Body should settle and rest, as well as be cold.

2 If wee should grant a moderate heate in those parts of the Aire, we have not any experiment to the contrary, nor would it prejudice the present opinion, or common Principles.

As the sound of this motion is not more heard than the Harmony of the Heavens:²⁷ so neither is there any reason why this motion should cause a sound, more than the supposed motion of the Heavens, which is likewise thought to be continued unto the Aire hard by us.

This will prove the Earth to move as well as the Heavens;²⁸ For that ha’s, first, a round Figure, as is generally granted. Secondly, being considered as whole, and in it’s ptoper place, it is not heavy, as was proved before: and as for the two other conditions, neither are they true of the Heavens; nor if they were, would they at all conduce to their motion.

1 This Argument would prove that the Sea did not ebbe and flow,²⁹ because there is not the same kind of motion in euery drop of Water: or that the whole Earth is not sphaericall, because every little piece of it is not of the same Forme.

This is rather an illustration than a proofe;³⁰ of if it do prove any thing, it may serve as well for that purpose unto which it is afterward applyed, where the motion of every Planet is supposed to depend upon the revolution of the Sunne.

That the Sunne and Planets do work upon the Earth by their own reall daily motion,³¹ is the thing in question; and therefore must not be taken for a common ground.

Wee grant that the Earth is firme and stable from all such motions whereby it is jogged or uncertainly shaken.³²

1 For the authoritie of those Divines, which hee urges for the interpretation of these Scriptures; this will be but a weake Argument against that opinion which is already granted to bee a Paradox.

2 The Scriptures themselves, in their right meaning, will not at all conduce to the present purpose.

As for that in Isaiah, if wee consult the cohaerence, wee shall finde that the scope of the Prophet is to set forth the Glory of the Church triumphant. Wherein (hee sayes) there shall not bee any need of the Sunne or Moone, but Gods presence shall supply them both: For the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting Light, and thy God thy glory, ver. the nineteenth, and as for this Sunne and Moone, it shall not goe downe, or withdraw it selfe: but hee shall bee an everlasting Light without intermission.³³ So that ‘tis evident hee speakes of that Light which shall hereafter bee, in stead of the Sunne and Moone.

As for that in the Revelations, wee yeeld, that time shall cease; but to say that this depends upon the cessation of the Heavens, is to beg the question, and to suppose that which is to be proved, viz. that time is measured by the motion of the Heavens, & not of the Earth.³⁴ Perrerius (from whom this last argument was borrowed without acknowledgement) might have told him in the very same place, that time do’s not absolutely, and universally depend upon the motion of the Heavens, sed in motu & successione, cujuslibet durationis, but in any such succession, by which duration may be measured.

As for that in the Romans, wee say, that there are other vanities to which the Heavenly Bodies are subject: As first, unto many changes and alterations, witnesse those Comets, which at severall times have been discerned amongst them; and then likewise to that generall corruption, in which all the creatures shall be involved at the last day.³⁵ When they shall passe away with a great noise, and the Elements shall melt with fervent heate.

Thus you see, there is not any such invincible strength in these arguments, as might cause the Author of them to triumph before hand with any great noise of victory.

Another Objection like unto these is taken from the Etymologie of severall words. Thus the Heavens are called Aethera, ab […] because they are alwaies in motion, and the Earth Vesta, quia vi stat, because of it’s immobilitie.

To which I answer: ‘Twere no difficult matter to finde such proofes for this opinion, as well as against it.

Thus wee may see that the Hebrew word […] is derived from […] quia currit; and Terra, non quod terratur, sed quod perenni cursu omnia terat, saith Calcagnius. However, though wee suppose the Etymology to be never so true and genuine; yet it can at the best but shew what the more common opinion was of those times when such names were first imposed.

But suppose all this were so,³⁶ That the Earth had such a diurnall revolution; yet how is it conceivable that it should at the same time have two distinct motions.

I answer: (Sol) This may easily bee apprehended, if you consider how both these motions doe tend the same way from West to East. Thus a Bowle being turned out of the hand, ha’s two motions in the Aire; one, whereby it is carried round; the other, whereby it is cast forward.

From what hath been delivered in this Chapter, the indifferent Reader may gather some satisfaction for those Arguments which are usually urged against this diurnall motion of the Earth.

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Footnotes

1. Al. loss. l. 1. sect. 1 cap. 1. ↩

2. Coper. l. 1. […]8 ↩

3. Gibert de Magn. lib. 6. cap. 5. ↩

4. Lib. 1. sect. 1. cap. 3. ↩

5. Li. 1. sect. 1. cap. 5. ↩

6. Syst. mundi, Collop. 2. ↩

7. Mae[…]lin praefat. ad Narrat. Rhet. Fromond. Vesta. tract. 1. cap. 3. ↩

8. Aristot. de Coelo, lib. 2. cap. 13. ↩

9. Fromondus Vesta. tract. 2. cap. 2. ↩

10. Syste. Mundi. Colloq. 2. ↩

11. Gallil. Syst. Colleq. 2. ↩

12. Ob. ↩

13. Austriaca Syder. par. 2. prop. 25. ↩

14. De bello Iudaico, lib. 7. cap. 12. Dion. lib. 54. ↩

15. Nat. Qu. lib. 7. cap. 6. ↩

16. Lib. 1. sect. 2, cap. 6. ↩

17. Arg. 1. ↩

18. Arg. 2. ↩

19. Arg. 3. ↩

20. Arg. 4. ↩

21. Arg. 5. ↩

22. Arg. 6. ↩

23. Arg. 7. ↩

24. Arg. 8. ↩

25. Arg. 9. ↩

26. Ad. 1. & 2. ↩

27. Ad. 3. ↩

28. Ad. 4. ↩

29. Ad. 5. ↩

30. Ad. 6. ↩

31. Ad. 7. ↩

32. Ad. 8. ↩

33. Vid. Revel. 21. 23. item c. 22. ver. 5. ↩

34. Gen. c. 1. l. 2. quaest. 6. ↩

35. 2. Pet. 3. 10, 12.
    ↩

36. Ob. ↩