The Philosophy of Roger Bacon

This is because of its suitability and desire for its natural place. Therefore, if it were said that a star original: "stella"; here used generally for a heavenly body which is below would, in the same way, become "upward" because of its produced inclination and because of its abandoned natural place, it is not entirely similar. This is because the earth original: "terra" is natured to be moved by straight-line motion original: "motu recto"; in Aristotelian physics, the four elements move in straight lines—up or down—while celestial bodies move in circles, and in its own place it descends from a place not its own, having itself [ordered] thus. However, this star is not natured to be moved by straight motion, but circularly original: "seculariter," likely a scribal variant for "circulariter" in its own place, not toward a [different] place; and therefore, whatever occupies its place would not move.

Hence, it must first be considered that there cannot be a certain body [distinct] from every [other] body, as is seen in the division of things, whether null or round. Therefore, through these clear divisions, the heaven original: "celum" is round. Therefore, no body exists except through [its] nature. And to this, nature [is distinguished] from this: that every body is matter produced by nature, as Aristotle abbreviated "ay" in text supposes when understanding a natural body... and in this way, there is no straight nature which deviates, whether with round or circular [motion] which is concave. Therefore, no body can exist unless it possesses one of the directed motions. Therefore, every body is either the heaven, which is natured to be moved by circular motion, or an element original: "elementum", which is natured to be moved by straight motion. This is taken from the whole of the body which has principal parts, as we have seen concerning those things of which we speak. But in a body that is animated original: "animatum"; a living body... by this motion which is also in it. Therefore, Aristotle says in the First Philosophy and in the Fifth [book], it is plain to those who read. Likewise, Aristotle teaches... the opinion of all the ancient philosophers: that the place of the gods and of the spirits is the heaven, because of their nobility original: "nobilitas" and the greatest nobility of the heaven among bodies. Therefore, there can be no body beyond the heaven more noble than it. Indeed, if there were any [place] for it, it would be more noble; therefore, there can be no body beyond the heaven and the elements. But if it were said that the nature of heaven is of another species or genus—if they were of a different genus, they would not be in one species—therefore, [there are] other coeval species which are placed under the same genus and are distant. And therefore, they are destructive through the division of genera, as in the Metaphysics. Therefore, heaven is not [to be compared] with the elements, because no body flourishes immediately [beyond it]... because of its great and excellent magnitude. For this reason, we shall speak of another coeval species which exists outside... There is a certain broad substance which is in every genus, as Aristotle says in [his] Philosophy and...