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]

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 moue in one houre from (X) to (V) but a thousand miles, which motion although it bee swifter then any arrow or bullet from a Cannons mouth, yet is it incomparably slower then that of the Heauens, where so many Millions are posted ouer in an houre.