Page:Mathematical collections and translations, in two tomes - Salusbury (1661).djvu/53

 quite differing there-from should be thence produced; and if I fancy to my self a body under one aspect, and by and by under another very different, I cannot think it impossible but that it may happen by a simple transposition of parts, without corrupting or ingendring any thing a-new; for we see such kinds of Metamorphoses dayly: so that to return to my purpose, I answer you, that inasmuch as you go about to perswade me that the Earth can not move circularly by way of corruptibility and generability, you have undertook a much harder task than I, that with arguments more difficult indeed, but no less concluding, will prove the contrary.

Pardon me, Salviatus, if I interrupt your discourse, which, as it delights me much, for that I also am gravel'd with the same doubts; so I fear that you can never conclude the same, without altogether digressing from your chief design: therefore if it be permitted to proceed in our first argument, I should think that it were convenient to remit this question of generation and corruption to another distinct and single conference; as also, if it shall please you and Simplicius, we may do by other particular questions which may fall in the way of our discourse; which I will keep in my mind to propose, and exactly discuss them some other time. Now as for the present, since you say, that if Aristotle deny circular motion to the Earth in common with other bodies Cœlestial, it thence will follow, that the same which befalleth the Earth, as to its being generable, alterable, &c. will hold also of Heaven, let us enquire no further if there be such things in nature, as generation and corruption, or not; but let us return to enquire what the Globe of the Earth doth.

I cannot suffer my ears to hear it question'd, whether generation and corruption be in rerum naturâ, it being a thing which we have continually before our eyes, and whereof Aristotle hath written two whole Books. But if you go about to deny the Principles of Sciences, and question things most manifest, who knows not, but that you may prove what you will, and maintain any Paradox? And if you do not dayly see herbs, plants, animals to generate and corrupt, what is it that you do see? Also, do you not continually behold contrarieties contend together, and the Earth change into Water, the Water turn to Air, the Air into Fire, and again the Air to condense into Clouds, Rains, Hails and Storms?

Yes, we see these things indeed, and therefore will grant you the discourse of Aristotle, as to this part of generation and corruption made by contraries; but if I shall conclude by virtue of the same propositions which are granted to Aristotle, that the Cœlestial bodies themselves are also generable and cor-