1works contain all things knowable, it muſt follow alſo that they
may be therein diſcovered.
may be therein diſcovered.
SALV. Good Sagredus, make no jeſt of this advice, which me
thinks you rehearſe in too Ironical a way; for it is not long ſince
that a very eminent Philoſopher having compoſed a Book de animà,
wherein, citing the opinion of Ariſtotle, about its being or not
ing immortal, he alledged many Texts, (not any of thoſe
fore quoted by Alexander ab Alexandro: for in thoſe he ſaid, that
Ariſtotle had not ſo much as treated of that matter, much leſs
termined any thing pertaining to the ſame, but others) by himſelf
found out in other more abſtruſe places, which tended to an
roneous ſenſe: and being adviſed, that he would find it an hard
matter to get a Licence from the Inquiſitors, he writ back unto
his friend, that he would notwithſtanding, with all expedition
procure the ſame, for that if no other obſtacle ſhould interpoſe,
he would not much ſcruple to change the Doctrine of Ariſtotle,
and with other expoſitions, and other Texts to maintain the
trary opinion, which yet ſhould be alſo agreeable to the ſenſe of
Ariſtotle.
thinks you rehearſe in too Ironical a way; for it is not long ſince
that a very eminent Philoſopher having compoſed a Book de animà,
wherein, citing the opinion of Ariſtotle, about its being or not
ing immortal, he alledged many Texts, (not any of thoſe
fore quoted by Alexander ab Alexandro: for in thoſe he ſaid, that
Ariſtotle had not ſo much as treated of that matter, much leſs
termined any thing pertaining to the ſame, but others) by himſelf
found out in other more abſtruſe places, which tended to an
roneous ſenſe: and being adviſed, that he would find it an hard
matter to get a Licence from the Inquiſitors, he writ back unto
his friend, that he would notwithſtanding, with all expedition
procure the ſame, for that if no other obſtacle ſhould interpoſe,
he would not much ſcruple to change the Doctrine of Ariſtotle,
and with other expoſitions, and other Texts to maintain the
trary opinion, which yet ſhould be alſo agreeable to the ſenſe of
Ariſtotle.
A brave
tion of a certain
Peripatetick
loſopher.
tion of a certain
Peripatetick
loſopher.
SAGR. Oh moſt profound Doctor, this! that can command
me that I ſtir not a ſtep from Ariſtotle, but will himſelf lead
him by the noſe, and make him ſpeak as he pleaſeth. See how
much it importeth to learn to take Time by the Fore-top. Nor
is it ſeaſonable to have to do with Hercules, whil'ſt he is
raged, and amongſt the Furies, but when he is telling merry tales
amongſt the Meonion Damoſels. Ah, unheard of ſordidneſſe of
ſervile ſouls! to make themſelves willing ſlaves to other mens
nions; to receive them for inviolable Decrees, to engage
ſelves to ſeem ſatisfied and convinced by arguments, of ſuch
cacy, and ſo manifeſtly concludent, that they themſelves
not certainly reſolve whether they were really writ to that
poſe, or ſerve to prove that aſſumption in hand, or the contrary.
But, which is a greater madneſſe, they are at variance amongſt
themſelves, whether the Author himſelf hath held the affirmative
part, or the negative. What is this, but to make an Oracle of a
Log, and to run to that for anſwers, to fear that, to reverence
and adore that?
me that I ſtir not a ſtep from Ariſtotle, but will himſelf lead
him by the noſe, and make him ſpeak as he pleaſeth. See how
much it importeth to learn to take Time by the Fore-top. Nor
is it ſeaſonable to have to do with Hercules, whil'ſt he is
raged, and amongſt the Furies, but when he is telling merry tales
amongſt the Meonion Damoſels. Ah, unheard of ſordidneſſe of
ſervile ſouls! to make themſelves willing ſlaves to other mens
nions; to receive them for inviolable Decrees, to engage
ſelves to ſeem ſatisfied and convinced by arguments, of ſuch
cacy, and ſo manifeſtly concludent, that they themſelves
not certainly reſolve whether they were really writ to that
poſe, or ſerve to prove that aſſumption in hand, or the contrary.
But, which is a greater madneſſe, they are at variance amongſt
themſelves, whether the Author himſelf hath held the affirmative
part, or the negative. What is this, but to make an Oracle of a
Log, and to run to that for anſwers, to fear that, to reverence
and adore that?
The ſervile
rit of ſome of
ſtotles followers.
rit of ſome of
ſtotles followers.
SIMPL. But in caſe we ſhould recede from Aristotle, who have
we to be our Guid in Philoſophy? Name you ſome Author.
we to be our Guid in Philoſophy? Name you ſome Author.
SALV. We need a Guid in unknown and uncouth wayes, but
in champion places, and open plains, the blind only ſtand in need
of a Leader; and for ſuch, it is better that they ſtay at home.
But he that hath eyes in his head, and in his mind, him ſhould
a man chooſe for his Guid. Yet miſtake me not, thinking that I
ſpeak this, for that I am againſt hearing of Ariſtotle; for on the
in champion places, and open plains, the blind only ſtand in need
of a Leader; and for ſuch, it is better that they ſtay at home.
But he that hath eyes in his head, and in his mind, him ſhould
a man chooſe for his Guid. Yet miſtake me not, thinking that I
ſpeak this, for that I am againſt hearing of Ariſtotle; for on the