Page:Mathematical collections and translations, in two tomes - Salusbury (1661).djvu/265

 and fixed Stars may stand immoveable, in case the Earth should move: the matter of fact in dispute is, to which of them we may with most convenience ascribe motion, and to which rest. Natural reason dictates, that motion ought to be assigned to the bodies, which in kind and essence most agree with those bodies which do undoubtedly move, and rest to those which most dissent from them; and in regard that an eternal rest and perpetual motion are most different, it is manifest, that the nature of the body always moveable ought to be most different from the body alwayes stable. Therefore, in regard that we are dubious of motion and rest, let us enquire, whether by the help of some other eminent affection, we may discover, which most agreeth with the bodies certainly moveable, either the Earth, or the Sun and fixed Stars. But see how Nature, in favour of our necessity and desire, presents us with two eminent qualities, and no less different than motion and rest, and they are light and darkness, to wit, the being by nature most bright, and the being obscure, and wholly deprived of light: the bodies therefore adorned with an internal and eternal splendour, are most different in essence from those deprived of light: The Earth is deprived of light, the Sun is most splendid in it self, and so are the fixed Stars. The six Planets do absolutely want light, as the Earth; therefore their essence agreeth with the Earth, and differeth from the Sun and fixed Stars. Therefore is the Earth moveable, immoveable the Sunne and Starry Sphere.

But the Authour will not grant, that the six Planets are tenebrose, and by that negative will he abide. Or he will argue the great conformity of nature between the six Planets, and the Sun, and Fixed Stars; and the disparity between them and the Earth from other conditions than from tenebrosity and light; yea, now I remember in the fifth objection, which followeth, he layeth down the vast difference between the Earth and the Cœlestial Bodies, in which he writeth, That the Copernican Hypothesis would make great confusion and perturbation in the Systeme of the Vniverse, and amongst its parts: As for instance, amongst Cœbodies that are immutable and incorruptible, according to Aristotle, Tycho, and others; amongst bodies, I say, of such nobility, by the confession of every one, and Copernicus himself, who affirmeth them to be ordinate, and disposed in a perfect constitution, and removeth from them all inconstancy of vertue amongst, these bodies, I say once more, so pure, that is to say, amongst Venus, Mars, &c. to place the very sink of all corruptible matters, to wit, the Earth, Water, Air, and all mixt bodies.

But how much properer a distribution, and more with nature, yea with God himself, the Architect, is it, to sequester the pure