CAP. 2.

Of certaine generall properties of the earth.

In Geography when wee name the earth wee meane not the earth taken seuerally by itselfe, without the seas and waters. But vnder one name both are comprised, as they are now mingled one with another and doe both together make vp one entire and round body. Neither doe wee diue into the bowels of the earth, and enter into consideration of the naturall qualities, which are in the substance of Earth and water, as coldnes, drinesse moisture, heauines, and the like, but wee looke only vpon the out side, contemplating the greatnesse, scituation, distances, measuringe, and other such affections which appeare in the superficies of it, to the eyes of our bodies and mindes: These then of the earth and water together, rules are to bee knowne,

The earth and the water doe make one globe, i.e., one round or sphericall body.
1. They are one globe hauing the same Center or middle pointe, and the same surface or conuexe superficies, which will appeare by these reasons.
  1. Common experience. Take a lumpe of earth and any quantity of water, and let them both fall downe together vpon the earth from some high place, wee see that in the descẽt they doe not seuer, but keepe still together in on streight line, which could not bee, if the earth and water were two seuerall round bodies hauing seuerall centers. As for example suppose them to bee two globes and let (a) bee the Center of the earth and (b) the center of the water; frõ (c) some high place aboue the earth hurle downe earth and water, I say the earth will part from the water in going downe and the earth will fall downe vpon (d) & the water vpon (e) but this is contrary to experience & ergo the supposition is false.
  2. The shadow which in Eclipses is cast vpon the Moone by the earth and the water, is but one and not two, & therefore the body is so likewise. This will appeare in the proofe of the next point, v. 2.
2. That both earth and water are one round body, not square, long, hollow, of any other figure. This is proued by diuerse reasons.
  1. By Eclipses; when the earth, stands iust betweene the Sunne and the Moone, then doth the shadow of the earth falling vpon the Moone darken it wholy or in part. Now as is the fashion of the shadow, such is the figure of the body, whence it falls, but the shadow of the earth and water cast vpon the Moone is round, and also one, therefore they are round and also one body.
  2. By the orderly and successiue appearing of the starres, as men trauile from North to South, or from South to North, by sea or land. For as they goe by degrees, they discouer new starres, which they saw not before, and loose the sight of them they did, which could not bee if the earth were not round. As for example, let (X.O.R.) the inward Circle bee the earth, (Q.S.P.) the outward, the Heauen: they cannot see the starre (S) which dwell vpon the earth in (X) but if they goe Northward vnto (O) they may see it. If they goe farther to (R) they may see the starre (P) but then they loose the sight of the starre (Q) which being at (X) and (O) they might haue seene. Because, as it appeares in the figure, the earth riseth vp round betweene (R) and (X).
  3. By the orderly and successiue rising of the Sunne and starres, and settinge of the same. Which appeare not at the same time to all countryes, but vnto one after another. As for example, let (F.C.B.) be the Circle of the earth, (D.E.A.) the Circle of the heauen from East to west, let (A) bee the Sunne or a starre. When the Sunne (A) is vp, and shines vpon them that dwell in (B) hee is not risen to them that dwell in (C) againe when hee is risen higher and is come to (E) and so shines vpon those that dwell in (C) hee is not yet vp to them that dwell in (F). Againe when hee setts in the West, in (D) and so is out of sight to the inhabitants in (B) hee is yet vp to them that dwell in (C) and (F). Which shews plainely the earth is round.
  4. By the different obseruations of Eclipses. One and the same Eclipse appearing sooner to the Easterly Nations then those that lye farther west, which is caused by the bulke of the earth swelling vp betweene. As for example.
  5. Let (X.O.) bee the Circle of the earth, and the greater the Circle of the heauen from East to West. Let (P.Q.) bee the body of the Sunne, (W.S.) of the Moone in the eclipse by reason of the earth betweene it and the Sunne. It is manifest that the inhabitants in (O) shall see the eclipse before the inhabitants in (X) by certaine houres, according as the distance betweene (X) and (O) is more or lesse. They that dwell in (O) shall see it in (S) they that dwell in (X) see it not till it come to (W) a great deale higher.
  6. That the water is round besides the naturall weight and moisture of it, which being apt to yeeld and runne abroad, will not suffer some places to ly high, and some low, like hills, & dales, but though it be made rough and vneuen by tempest, doth presẽtly returne to their naturall smoothnesse and euennesse: I say besides this: it is cleare by common experience; for if wee stand on the land, and see a ship goe forth to sea, by degrees wee loose the sight of it, first of the bulke then of the mast, and all. So also one the other side they that are at sea by degrees doe loose or gaine the sight of the Land: As for example.
  7. Let (A) bee some steeple vpon the land (B) a shipp at sea: He that stands at (A) shall by little and little loose the sight of the ship, as shee goes out, & gett sight of her as shee comes in. Both first and last hee shall haue the sight of the top mast (B) when hee sees nothing else. Because the sea riseth vp betweene his sight and the ship.
3. These reasons and experiments may suffice to proue the roundnesse of the earth and water; which might bee farther demonstrated by shewing the falshood of all other figures regular or irregular that can be giuen vnto it; that it is neither square, nor three-cornerd, nor Piramidall, nor conicall on Taperwise, nor Cylindricall like a barley rowle, nor hollow like a dish, nor of any other fashion, as some haue imagined it to bee of. Wee come to this second rule.
The naturall place of the water is to bee aboue the earth, and soe it was in the first creation of it, compassing, the earth round aboute as appeares Genes. 1. 9. But for the vse of man and all other liuing creatures, God made a separation of them caussing the waters to sinke downe into huge hollow channells, prepared to receaue it, that so the drie land might appeare aboue it. Notwithstanding which separation, they doe both still remaine together, not couering one another as at first, but intermingled one with another, and that soe exactly as they now make but one round body, whereas at first they made two. Here therfore are two poynts to be proued, 1. That they are one globe. 2. that this one is round.
The tops of the highest hills, and the bottoms of the lowest vallies although in seuerall places they make the earth vneven, yet being compared to the vast greatnesse of the whole, doe not at all hinder the roundnesse of it.
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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Now for the saluing of all the cælestiall Phænomena, or appearances, the truth is the same, if wee suppose the earth to moue, as if wee beleeue it to stand still. The riseing of the Sunne and Starres, the motions of all the Planets, will keepe Correspondence that now. Nor neede wee feare logging, or that steples and towers would totter downe, for the motion is regular, and steady without rubbes, and knocks. As if you turne a globe about, it will goe steadyly, and a fly will set fast vpon it, though you moue it apace. Besides the whole body the ayre is carryed about with the whirlinge of the earth, so that the earth will make noe winde, as it turnes swiftly about; as a wheele will, if it bee turned apace.
7. Notwithstanding all this, most are of another opinion, that the earth standeth still without all motion, rest rather befittinge so heauy and dull a body then motion. The maine reason brought to establish it is this. Let a stone bee throwne downe out of the ayre from (W:) if the earth stand still, it is manifest it will fall vpon (X) iust vnder it; as wee see it doth by common experience, a stone will fall downe from any height vpon the place wee aymed at, but let the earth moue, the stone will not light vpon (X) but some where else as one (S:) for (X) will bee moued away, and gone to (V.)
8. So againe let two peices of ordinance that will shoote at equall distance bee discharged one iust towards the East, the other towards the West; if the earth moue (as they say it doth) towards the West, the bullet that is discharged Eastward will fly farther then that Westward. For by the contrary motion of the earth hee will gaine ground. But experience hath proued this to bee false, shewing that the bullets, will both fly at equall distance.
9. To salue this, answere is made that the earth by its swift motion carries with it and that steadily not only all bodies resting or moueing vpon it, but also the whole Sphære of Aire (WEQ) with all things whatsoeuer that are moued in it naturally or violently, as clouds, birds, stones hurled vp or downe, arrowes, bullets, and such like things violently shott forth: as may appeare in the figure.
Among all Geometricall figures the sphæriall or the round is the most perfect, and amongst all naturall bodies the heauen is the most excellent. It was therefore good reason the most beautifull body should haue the most perfect and exquisite shape. Exact roundnesse then is not found in any body, but the Heauens; the earth is round as was showed before, but not precisely, with out all roughnes and inæquality of its surface. There are hills like warts and vallies like wrinkels in a mans body; and that both for ornament and vse. Yet is there such vnformity in this varietie, as that there is no notable and sensible inæquality made in the earth by Hills and vallies. No more then if you should lay a fly vpon a smooth Cartwheele, or a pinnes head vpon a greate globe. Now that this is soe appeares by Sense and Reason. By Sense thus, If wee stand on a hill or in a plaine, when wee may discrie the country round about 15. or 20. miles; wee may behold the brim or edge of the earth round about vs to bee in a manner euen and streight, euen there, where the country is very hilly, and full of mountaines. So that a farre of their height makes but a little alteration and difference from the plaine Countreys, when wee behold all togeather a farre of: though when wee come neere, the alteration seemes more sensible.
1. The starres which are many times bigger then the earth, seeme yet to vs to bee noe bigger then a greate pinns head, or such like quantity; therefore much lesse shall the earth appeare to bee of any sensible magnitude.
2. Wee alwaies beholde halfe the heauens aboue vs, which could not bee if the earth had any sensible proportion to the heauen.
3. All obseruations of hights and distances of the cœlestiall bodies, which are made on the superficies of the earth, are as exact, and true, as if they were made in the very center of the earth. Which were impossible, vnlesse the thicknes of the earth were insensible in regard of the Heauens.
4. All Sunn Dialls which stand on the superficies of the earth, doe as truely cast the shadowes of the houres, as if they stood in the Center. As for example.
By reason thus, the thicknesse of halfe the earth is (as shall be shewed) about 4000 miles, now the plumb height of the highest mountaines is not accounted aboue a mile and a halfe, or two miles at the most. Now betweene two miles and foure thousand, there is no sensible proportion, and a line that is foure thousand and two miles long, will not seeme sensibly longer then that which is foure thousand; as for example. Let (O) be the center of the earth, (XW) a part of the circle of the earth which runneth by the bottomes of the hils and superficies of champion and even plaines (WO) or (XO) is the semidiamiter or halfe the depth of the earth. (S) is a hill rising vp aboue that plaine of the earth, (WS) is the plumb height of the hill. I say that (WS) doth not sensibly alter the length of the line (OW); for (WS) is but two miles. (WO) 4000 miles, and two to 4000 alters not much more, then the breadth of a pinne to the length of a pearch. So a line drawne from (O) the center to (S) the top of the hill, is in a manner all one with a line drawen to (W) the bottome of the hill.
The third rule.
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.
The fourth rule.
The earth, though it bee of exceeding greate quantity being considered in itselfe, yet being compared to the Heauens, especially the higher sphæres, is of noe notable bignes, but may be accounted as a point or pricke in the middest of the world.
That the earth is noe bigger then a point or pinns head in comparison of the highest heauens will easily appeare vnto vs, by these reasons.
The starre (S) appeares like a point or pricke to them that dwell in (A) wherefore the earth (OX) will appeare much lesse to the sight of him that should behold it from (S), nay it would not bee seene at all. Againe halfe the Heauens (BFE) are alwayes seene to thẽ that dwell in (A) wanting some two minutes, betweene (ED) and (BC) which difference is alltogether insensible. Againe if wee obserue the height of the starre (S) aboue the Horizon (BE) it will bee all one namely (BS) whether wee obserue it in the topp of the earth, in (A) or in the middle in (O.) For, (A) and (O,) are so little distant one from another, that (AS,) and (OS) will bee paralell lines, and bee esteemed but as one line. The fourth reason concerning Dialls, is cleare by the framing and construction of them: wherein either the lower end of the Cocke (or Gnomon) whereat all the houre lines meet, or the vpper end and knobb (as in many Dialls) is supposed to bee the Center of the earth.