leave Sense and Demonstrative Reasons, for some place of Scripture which sometimes under the apparent words may contain a different sense. Now I hope to shew with how much greater Piety and Religious Zeal I proceed, than they do, in that I propose not, that the Book of Copernicus is not to be condemned, but that it is not to be condemned, as they would have it; without understanding it, hearing it, or so much as seeing it; and especially he being an Author that never treateth of matters of Religion or Faith; nor by Reasons any way depending on the Authority of Sacred Scriptures whereupon he may have erroniously interpreted them; but alwaies insists upon Natural Conclusions belonging to the Celestial Motions, handled with Astronomical and Geometrical Demonstrations. (c) Si fortasscerunt Matæologi qui cum omnium Mathematicum ignari sint, tamen de sis judicium assumunt, propter aliquem locum Scripturæ, malè ad suum propositum, detortum, ausi fuerint hoc meum institutum reprehendere ac insectari, illos nihil moror, adeò ut etiam illorum judicium, tanquam temerarium contemnam. Non enim obscurum est, Lactantium, celelebrem alioqui Scriptorem, sed Mathematicum parvum, admodum pueriliter de forma Terræ loqui, cùm deridet eos, qui Terram, Globi formam habere prodiderunt. Itaque non debet miram videri studiosis, si qui tales, nos etiam videbunt. Mathemata Mathematicis scribuntur; quibus & hi nostri labores, (si me non fallit opinio) videbuntur etiam Reipublicæ Ecclesiasticæ conducere aliquid, cujus Principatum Tua Sanctitas nunc tenet.Not that he had not a respect to the places of the Sacred Leaves, but because he knew very well that his said Doctrine being demonstrated, it could not contradict the Scriptures, rightly, and according to their true meaning understood. And therefore in the end of his Epistle Dedicatory, speaking to The Pope, he saith thus; (b) If there should chance to be any Matæologists, who though ignorant in all the Mathematicks, yet pretending a skill in those Learnings, should dare, upon the authority of some place of Scripture wrested to their purpose, to condemn and censure this my Hypothesis, I value them not, but shall slight their inconsiderate Judgement. For it is not unknown, that Lactantius (otherwise a Famous Author, though mean Mathematician) writeth very childishly touching the Form of the Earth, when he scoffs at those who affirm the Earth to be in Form of a Globe. So that it ought not to seem strange to the Ingenious, if any such should likewise now deride us. The Mathematicks are written for Mathematitians, to whom (if I deceive not my self) these Labours of mine shall seem to add something, as also to the Common-weale of the Church, whose Government is now in the hands of Your Holiness.
And of this kinde do these appear to be who indeavour to perswade that Copernicus may be condemned before his Book is read; and to make the World believe that it is not onely lawfull but commendable so to do, produce certain Authorities of the Scripture, of Divines, and of Councils; which as they are by me had in reverence, and held of Supream Authority, insomuch that I should esteem it high temerity for any one to contradict them whilst they are used according to the Institutes of Holy Church, so I believe that it is no errour to speak, so long as one hath reason to suspect that a person hath a desire, for some concern of his own, to produce and alledge them, to purposes different from those that are in the most Sacred intention of The Holy Church. Therefore I not onely protest (and my sincerity shall manifest itself)
