Therefore, &c. The most proper and genuine answer to this Allegation is contained in the Argument it self; and even Aristotle puts it in our mouths, which it is impossible, Simplicius, that you should not have seen.
Simpl.I neither have seen it, nor do I yet apprehend it.
Salv.This cannot be, sure, the thing is so very plain.
Simpl.I will with your leave, cast an eye upon the Text.
Sagr.We will command the Text to be brought forthwith.
Simpl.I alwayes carry it about with me: See here it is, and I know the place perfectly well, which is in lib. 2. De Cœlo, cap. 16. Here it is, Text 97. Preterea omnia, quæ feruntur latione circulari subdeficere videntur, ac moveri pluribus una latione, præter primam Sphæram; quare & Terram necessariam est, sive circa medium, sive in medio posita feratur, duabus moveri lationibus. Si autem hoc acciderit, necessariam est fieri mutationes, ac conversiones fixorum astrorum. Hoc autem non videtur fieri, sed semper eadem, apud eadem loca ipsius, & oriuntur, & occidunt. [In English thus:] Furthermore all that are carried with circular motion, seem to ** Subdesicere. foreslow, and to move with more than one motion, except the first Sphere; wherefore it is necessary that the Earth move with two motions, whether it be carried about the ** Or Centre. middle, or placed in the middle. But if it be so, there would of necessity be alterations and conversions made amongst the fixed Stars. But no such thing is seen to be done, but the same Star doth alwayes rise and set in the same place. In all this I find not any falacy, and my thinks the argument is very forcible.
Salv.And this new reading of the place hath confirmed me in the fallacy of the Sillogisme, and moreover, discovered another falsity. Therefore observe. The Positions, or if you will, Conclusions, which Aristotle endeavours to oppose, are two; one is that of those, who placing the Earth in the midst of the World, do make it move in it self about its own centre. The other is of those, who constituting it far from the middle, do make it revolve with a circular motion about the middle of the Universe. And both these Positions he conjointly impugneth with one and the same argument. Now I affirm that he is out in both the one and the other impugnation; and that his error against the first Position is an Equivoke or Paralogisme;Aristotles argument against the Earths motion, is defective in two things and his mistake touching the second is a false consequence. Let us begin with the first Assertion, which constituteth the Earth in the midst of the World, and maketh it move in it self about its own centre; and let us confront it with the objection of Aristotle; saying, All moveables, that move circularly, seem to ** The same word which a little above I tendred stay behind, as a bowle when it meets with rubs. foreslow, and move with more than one Byas, except the first Sphere (that is the pri-mum
