e, partly
the other. Or if it be circular, it is in a circle whose center
is a little distant from the Center of the whole globe. Let vs
place fountaines then neither in (_C_) nor (_D_) but in (_F_) I
say the water runnes either partly streight by the (_FS_) and
partly circular, from (_S_) to (_B_) which motion will not be
inconuenient, for the water descending continually from (_F_) to
(_S_) will cause it still to runne forward; or else wholy
circular in the circle (_FXB_.) And this is most agreeable to
truth. For so it shall both runne round as it must doe if wee
will escape the otherwise vnauoidable inconueniences of the first
opinion and yet in running still descend, and come neerer to the
Center, as is most befitting the nature of water, so that wee
need not seeke for any violent cause that moues it. Let vs then
see what is the hight of (_F_) the fountaines of _Nilus_, aboue
(_C_) that is (_B_) the mouth or outlet of it into the Sea. The
vsuall allowance in watercourses is one foot in descent for 200.
foot in running, but if this bee thought to much because water
will runne awaie vpon any inequality of ground, for euery 500.
foote allow one for descent, & so much we may with reason, in
regard of the swiftnes of many riuers, yea the most, which in
many places runnes headlong, in all places very swiftly
(especially _Nilus_ whose cateracts or downfalls are notable)
which cannot bee without some notable decliuity of the ground.
Thus then the whole course of _Nilus_ being 2700. miles from
(_F_) to (_B_) the perpendicular or plumb descent of it (_CF_)
will be 5. miles. And so high shall the fountaine stand aboue the
mouth, and the surface of the plaine Land (for riuers commonly
arise at foot of hills) which is (_BXF_) swell vp aboue the
surface of the Sea (_BWC_) or (_BY_) which hight of the Land
aboue the Sea although it bee greater then is the height of the
highest mo[~u]taines aboue the plaine Land, yet it is nothing in
comparison of the whole Earth. And this being granted (as with
most probabilitie of reason it may) it will appeare that God in
the beginning of the world imposed noe perpetuall violence vpon
nature, in gathering togeather, the waters into one place, and
being so gathered in keeping them from runing backe to cover the
earth. At the first so soone as those hollow channells were
prepared, the water did naturally slide downe into them, and out
of them without miraculous power they cannot returne. For if