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 AEquinox, 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. [Illustration] 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_.) [Illustration] _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. [Illustration]