quence the right or straight motion of simple natural bodies, as being of no use in nature, and esteems the Earth it self also to be one of the Cœlestial bodies adorn'd with all the prerogatives that agree with them; which last discourse is hitherto much more likely, in my judgment, than that other. Therefore resolve, Simplicius, to produce all the particular reasons, experiments and observations, as well Natural as Astronomical, that may serve to perswade us that the Earth differeth from the Cœlestial bodies, is immoveable, and situated in the Centre of the World, and what ever else excludes its moving like to the Planets, as Jupiter or the Moon, &c. And Salviatus will be pleased to be so civil as to answer to them one by one.
Simpl.See here for a begining, two most convincing Arguments to demonstrate the Earth to be most different from the Cœlestial bodies. First, the bodies that are generable, corruptible, alterable, &c. are quite different from those that are ingenerable, incorruptible, unalterable, &c. But the Earth is generable, corruptible, alterable, &c. and the Cœlestial bodies ingenerable, incorruptible, unalterable, &c. Therefore the Earth is quite different from the Cœlestial bodies.
Sagr.By your first Argument you spread the Table with the same Viands, which but just now with much adoe were voided.
Simpl.Hold a little, Sir, and take the rest along with you, and then tell me if this be not different from what you had before. In the former, the Minor was proved à priori, & now you see it proved à posteriori: Judg then if it be the same. I prove the Minor, therefore (the Major being most manifest) by sensible experience, which shews us that in the Earth there are made continual generations, corruptions, alterations, &c. which neither our senses, nor the traditions or memories of our Ancestors, ever saw an instance of in Heaven; therefore Heaven is unalterable, &c. and the Earth alterable,Heaven immutable, because there never was any mutation seen in it. &c. and therefore different from Heaven. I take my second Argument from a principal and essential accident, and it is this. That body which is by its nature obscure and deprived of light,Bodies naturally lucid, are different from those which are by nature obscure. is divers from the luminous and shining bodies; but the Earth is obscure and void of light, and the Cœlestial bodies splendid, and full of light; Ergo, &c. Answer to these Arguments first, that we may not heap up too many, and then I will alledge others.
Salv.As to the first, the stresse whereof you lay upon experience, I desire that you would a little more distinctly produce me the alteration which you see made in the Earth, and not in Heaven; upon which you call the Earth alterable, and the Heavens not so.
Simpl.I see in the Earth, plants and animals continually ge-nerating
