The earth resteth immovable in the very midst of the whole earth.

Two points are here to be demonstrated. First that the earth standeth exactly in the midst of the World. Secondly that it is immoveable.

1. The former is proved by these reasons.

   1. The naturall heavinesse of the earth and water is such, as they will never cease mooving downewards till they come to the lowest place; Now the center or middle point of the world is the lowest place, and ergo they must needs moue thither, as for example.

      Let (O) be the center of the world, (CDE) the heauens: it is manifest that the lowest place from the heauens on all sides is (O). Ssuppose the earth to be in (A) or in (B) some where out of the center, I say it is not possible (vnlesse it be violently held vp) that it should abide there, but it will descend till it come to (O) the middle point.

      

   2. If the earth stood any where but in the midest we should not see halfe the heauens aboue vs, as now we alway doe, neither could there be any Æquinox, neither would the daies and nights lengthen and shorten in that due order and proportion in all places of the World as now they doe; againe Eclipses would never fall out but in one part of the heavens, yea the Sunne and Moone might be directly opposite one to another and yet no Eclipse follow, all which are absurd. As for example, let the center of the World be (O) let the earth stand in (A), a good way distant from the center, it is manifest that the greater halfe of the Heauens (CIB) will alwaies be aboue, and the lesser halfe (CDB) below, which is contrary to experience. Thence also it followes that the daies and nights will never be equall, for the Sunne (B) will be alwaies longer aboue the earth whil'st he moues from (B) to (C) then below, mouing from (C) to (B). Againe the Sunne (B) may stand iust opposite to the Moone (X) and yet noe Eclipse follow, the earth which makes the Eclipse, standing out of the midst.

      

   3. The shadowes of all bodies on the earth would not fall in that orderly vniformity as they now doe: for if the earth stood towards the East, the shadowes would be shortest before noone, if toward the west afternoone, if towards the North, the shadowes would still fall Northward, if towards the South, Southwards, all which experience shewes to be false. As for example, let the earth stand Eastwards in (A) the shadow of any body vpon the earth, as of the body vnder (E) will be shorter in the morning when the sunne is in (C), then at noone when the sunne is in (X). If the earth stand Southward in (W) the shaddow of any body will alwaies fall south, as it doth in the figure (Y) and (Z.)

      

2. The second thing to be proued was that the earth is immouable. where wee must vnderstand a double motion, Streight, or Circular. For the first it is cleare that with out supernaturall violence it cannot bee moued in any streight motion, that is, vpward downewarde, or toward any side; it cannot bee shoued out of his place.

   For the Second, whether abiding still in his place it may not moue rounde, the question is disputed, and maintained one both sides. Some affirme it may, and doth: who thinke there is greater probabilitie the earth should mooue round once a day, then that the Heauens should by reason of the incredible swiftnesse of the heauens motion, scarcs conpetible to any naturall body; and the more likely Slownesse of the earths mouing. Others deny it grounding theire opinion vpon Scripture, which affirmes the earth to stand fast, so as it cannot bee moued; and vpon Sence, because wee perceaue it not to moue, and lastly vpon reasons drawne from things hurled vp, and let fall vpon the earth. The arguments on both sides wil bee more easie to bee vnderstood by the figure that followes.

   

   In this figure it is manifest, that the earth in the midest, cannot moue by any streight motion, vpward towarde (N) or sideward toward (M) or any other way out of its proper place, and therefore that opinion of Copernicus and others, that the earth should moue round once a yeere in such a Circle as (MPR) is most improbable & vnreasonable. And reiected by the most.

   But although it cannot moue streight, it may moue round. For though it be a marueilous great body of vnconceaueable weight, yet being equally poised on euery side, there is nothing can hinder its Circular motion. As in a Globe of Lead, or any other heauy substance, though it were 40. Fadome in compasse, yet being set vpon his two Poles, it would easily bee turned round euen with a touch of ones little finger. And therefore it is concluded that this circular motion is not impossible. The probabilitie of it is thus made plaine. The whole circuit of the Heauens, wherein are the fixed Starrs is reckoned by Astronomers to bee 1017562500. that is a Thousand and seauenteene Millions of miles, fiue hundred sixty two thousand, and fiue hundred miles. Let this bee the compasse of the Circle (NMOZ.) So many miles doth the Heauens moue in one day, till the same point come to the place from whence it went; as till (N) moue round, and come to (N) againe. This being the motion of the whole day 24. houres, how many miles will (N) moue in one houre? it will moue 42398437 and a halfe. i.e. Forty two Millions three hundred ninty eight thousand, foure hundred thirty seuen miles and an halfe. So many miles will (N) moue in one houre, from (N) to (M.) A motion so swift that it is vtterly incredible. Farre more likely it is, the circuit of the earth (ASXV) being about 24000. i.e. twenty foure thousand miles more or lesse, it should moue round once a day. For then one point as (X) should