lender, he was sent for to Rome from the remotest parts of Germany, for to assist in this Reformation, which for that time was left imperfect, onely because as then the true measure of the Year and Lunar Moneth was not exactly known: whereupon it was given him in charge by the Bishop of Sempronia, at that time Super-intendent in that Affair, to search with reiterated studies and pains for greater light and certainty, touching those Cœlestial Motions. Upon which, with a labour truly Atlantick and with his admirable Wit, setting himself again to that Study, he made such a progress in these Sciences, and reduced the knowledge of the Cœlestial Motions to such exactnesse, that he gained the title of an Excellent Astronomer. And, according unto his Doctrine, not only the Calendar hath been since regulated, but the Tables of all the Motions of the Planets have also been calculated: and having reduced the said Doctrine into six Books, he published them to the World at the instance of the Cardinal of Capua, and of the Bishop of Culma. And in regard that he had re-assumed this so laborious an enterprize by the order of The Pope; he dedicated his Book De Revolutionibus Cœlestibus to His Successour, namely Paul III. which, being then also Printed, hath been received by The Holy Church, and read and studied by all the World, without any the least umbrage of scruple that hath ever been conceived at his Doctrine; The which, whilst it is now proved by manifest Experiments and necessary Demonstrations to have been well grounded, there want not persons that, though they never saw that same Book intercept the reward of those many Labours to its Authour, by causing him to be censured and pronounced an Heretick; and this, only to satisfie a particular displeasure conceived, without any cause, against another man, that hath no other interest in Copernicus, but only as he is an approver of his Doctrine.
Now in regard of these false aspersions, which they so unjustly seek to throw upon me, I have thought it necessary for my justification before the World (of whose judgment in matters of Religion and Reputation I ought to make great esteem) to discourse concerning those Particulars, which these men produce to scandalize and subvert this Opinion, and in a word, to condemn it, not only as false, but also as Heretical; continually making an Hipocritical Zeal for Religion their shield; going about moreover to interest the Sacred Scriptures in the Dispute, and to make them in a certain sense Ministers of their deceiptful purposes: and farthermore desiring, if I mistake not, contrary to the intention of them, and of the Holy Fathers to extend (that I may not say abuse) their Authority, so as that even in Conclusions meerly Natural, and not de Fide, they would have us altogetherleave
