le World in the Moone (which I now affirme) it must follow, that
her Orbe is not solid, as _Aristotle_ supposed; and if not her, why any
of the other? I rather thinke that they are all of a fluid (perhaps
aereous) substance. Saint _Ambrose_, and Saint _Basil_[1] did endeavour
to prove this out of that place in _Isay_,[2] where they are compared to
smoake, as they are both quoted by _Rhodiginus_, _Eusebius_,
_Nierembergius_[3] doth likewise from that place confute the solidity
and incorruptibility of the Heavens, and cites for the same
interpretation the authority of _Eustachius_ of _Antioch_; and Saint
_Austin_,[4] I am sure seemes to assent unto this opinion, though he
does often in his other workes contradict it. The testimony of other
Fathers to this purpose you may see in _Sixtus Senensis. l. 5. Biblioth.
annot. 14._ but for your better satisfaction herein, I shall referre you
to the above named _Scheiner_ in his _Rosa Ursina_,[5] in whom you may
see both authorities and reason, and very largely and distinctly set
downe for this opinion, for the better confirmation of which hee
adjoynes also some authenticall Epistles of _Fredericus Caesius Lynceus_
a Noble Prince written to _Bellarmine_, containing divers reasons to the
same purpose, you may also see the same truth set downe by _Johannes
Pena_ in his preface to _Euclids Opticks_, and _Christoph. Rothmannus_,
both who thought the Firmament to bee onely aire: and though the noble
_Tycho_[6] doe dispute against them, yet he himselfe holds,

_Quod propius ad veritatis penetralia accedit haec opinio, quam
Aristotelica vulgariter approbata, quae coelum pluribus realibus atque
imperviis orbibus citra rem replevit._

"That this opinion comes neerer to the truth than that common one
of _Aristotle_ which hath to no purpose filled the heavens with such
reall and impervious Orbes."

[Sidenote 1: _Isa. 51. 6._]

[Sidenote 2: _Ant. lect. l. 1. c. 4._]

[Sidenote 3: _Hist. nat. l. 2. c. 11. 13._]

[Sidenote 4: _In lib. sup. Gen. ad lit._]

[Sidenote 5: _lib. 4. p. 11, 2. c. 7. 26, 30._]

[Sidenote 6: _De stella. 15. 72. l. 6. c. 9._]

2. There is no element of fire, which must be held with this opinion
here delivered; for if wee suppose a world in the Moone, then it will
follow, that the spheare of fire, either is not there where 'tis usually
placed in the concavity of his Orbe, or else that there is no such thing
at all, which is most probable,