To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
THe World (containing all the Visible Creation) is the order and distribution of all things kept and preserved of God, and is vulgarly divided into two parts, viz. Heaven and Earth, of which this Excellent Stru∣cture is composed. The Center of which Fabrick is held to be the Sun; but their hath been much contro∣versie amongst the most eminent Mathematicians con∣cerning the Scituation and Motion of the Sun and the
Earth. Copernicus and some of the Ancients, before and since Christ, held the Sun to be immovably fixed in the Center of the Universs, and that it was the Earth (only) that moved: Others again denied, affirming that the Sun moves only, and that the Earth stands still. Both produce their Reasons and Demonstrations to prove it. The Judgement of Divines is unanimous, viz. that the Earth is immovably fixed, and that its the Sun that moves. But although the Judgement of Divines con∣cur in it, yet I am not altogether of their Opinion, that saith it is immoveably fixed in the Center. For the equal (or unequal) distribution of the Universal Anima Mundi, alloweth it to have a Life: and consequently Motion (which is the property of Life (and therefore it must be granted, that either their's no such thing, as the Universal Anima Mundi: or else if there be that the Earth is exempt of it and so lifelesse, to affirm either of which is prodigiously absurd and ridiculous, and contra∣ry to the Judgement of the soundest Divines, Philoso∣phers and Mathematicians. But whether the Earths Mo∣tion be Central, Circular, or Equilibral, their's the Question, let them whet their Wits upon it, and they will be the sharper. As for me, I shall satisfie my parti∣cular friends concerning the Motion thereof; (for I am confident it hath a Motion, though insensible, by reason of the dis-proportion, which our visual senses have to its vast Magnitude) and the World in general in the next Edition.
But I shall now return to give you an account of the several Spheres of Heaven, in their various Situations and Motions, according to the Opinion, Demonstration, and acurate Observations of that Noble Danish Lord, Tycho Brahe.
1. That the Earth is the Center of the World, equi∣distant in all places from the vast Circumference of the fixed Stars.
2. About the Earth is the Sphere of the Moon, which by reason of its Propinquity and Parvity of her Orbe, She compleateth her Periodical Revolution in a Month.
3. The Sun is the Center of the Planetary Systemn, so that all the Planets respect Him as their common Node and Center, He compleateth His Course through the twelve Signs of the Zodiack in a year.
4. The nearest Planet to the Sun, is the Orbe of Mer∣cury, which by reason of the Parvity of his Circle and Vi∣cinity to the Sun (his greatest Elongation not exceeding 28 degrees) therefore he is rarely seen, he finisheth his Revolution in 88 dayes.
5. In the next Sphere moves Venus, who accomplish∣eth her Revolution through the 12 Signs of the Zodiack in 225 dayes.
6. The next Sphere above the Orbe of the Sun, is the Orbe of Mars, which Intersects the Suns Orbe twice, he compleateth his Revolution once in two years.
7. The next Sphere above the Orbe of Mars, is Jupi∣ter, he finisheth his Revolution in 12 years.
8. The highest of all the Planetary Spheres, is the Sphere of Saturn, who by reason of his great Remotion from the Earth, and Center of the Universs, compleats his Revolution but once in 30 years.
9. And lastly, Above the Sphere of Saturn, is the Im∣mense Orbe of the Firmament, wherein all the fixed Stars are placed, which compleateth its Revolution it 25920. years.
Having now spoken of the Coelestial Oeconomy of th•• Planetarie Spheres, even from the Center to the vas•• Circumference, I am drowned in a Sea of Admiration and Contemplation, to behold, and seriously consider (with a Secret sacred delight) the Proportion, Scituati∣on, Magnitude, Transcendant Glory and Luster, Stupen∣dious and Constant Order of the Visible Coelestial Hosts of Almighty God, Cujus Centrum est ubique, Circumfe∣rentia nullubi. I can never behold and contemplate them sooner, then my Heart and Soul is lifted above the Heavens, by the ravishing sight of JEHOVAHS back parts, which conducts me thither by Invisible Lines, and Immortal Beams, am led in to the most Holy Place, where the KING in His Beauty, the ANCIENT
of DAYES sits upon His Throne, attended by Infinit Millions of Saints and Angels (whose Glory obscures the Visible Sun) sounding everlasting Anthems to the Pri∣mum cus. The first beginning and ultimate end of all Created Beings, The Supreme UNITY of all Perfe∣ctions. I say, when I consider these things, my souls joy Initiats.
O my dear God, comfort my soul and heart with thy Im∣mortal Rayes, and strengthen the understanding of thy ser∣vant with a Light of Glory, that may enable me to bear thy Beatifical Visions. For I am ravished in Contemplation of thy Glorious Works of Creation.