1why it ſhould rather ſtand in one ſite of that Place than in ano
ther, or why it ſhould rather turn one part of it than another to
the Sun, if ſo be that every of its parts without diſtinction, which
is deſtitute of the Suns light, cannot chooſe but be diſmal, and
much worſe affected than that part which is illuminated. Hence
alſo would ariſe many other abſurdities beſides theſe.
ther, or why it ſhould rather turn one part of it than another to
the Sun, if ſo be that every of its parts without diſtinction, which
is deſtitute of the Suns light, cannot chooſe but be diſmal, and
much worſe affected than that part which is illuminated. Hence
alſo would ariſe many other abſurdities beſides theſe.
After the day
of Judgment the
Earth ſhall ſtand
immoveable.
of Judgment the
Earth ſhall ſtand
immoveable.
Theſe are the Claſſes, &c. from which great aſſaults are made
againſt the ſtructure of the Pythagorick Syſteme; yet by that
time I ſhall have firſt laid down ſix Maximes or Principles, as
impregnable Bulwarks erected againſt them, it will be eaſie to
batter them, and to defend the Hypotheſis of Pythagoras from
being attaqued by them. Which before I propound, I do pro
feſs (with that Humility and Modeſty which becometh a Chri
ſtian, and a perſon in Religious Orders) that I do with reverence
ſubmit what I am about to ſpeak to the Judgment of Holy
Church. Nor have I undertaken to write theſe things out of
any inducements of Temerity, or Ambition, but out of Charity
and a Deſire to be auxiliary to my neighbour in his inquiſition
after Truth. And there is nothing in all this Controverſie
maintained by me (that expect to be better inſtructed by thoſe
who profeſs theſe Studies) which I ſhall not retract, if any per
ſons ſhall by ſolid Reaſons & reiterated Experiments, prove ſome
other Hypotheſis to be more probable; but yet, until ſuch time as
they ſhall decide the Point, I ſhall labour all I can for its ſupport.
againſt the ſtructure of the Pythagorick Syſteme; yet by that
time I ſhall have firſt laid down ſix Maximes or Principles, as
impregnable Bulwarks erected againſt them, it will be eaſie to
batter them, and to defend the Hypotheſis of Pythagoras from
being attaqued by them. Which before I propound, I do pro
feſs (with that Humility and Modeſty which becometh a Chri
ſtian, and a perſon in Religious Orders) that I do with reverence
ſubmit what I am about to ſpeak to the Judgment of Holy
Church. Nor have I undertaken to write theſe things out of
any inducements of Temerity, or Ambition, but out of Charity
and a Deſire to be auxiliary to my neighbour in his inquiſition
after Truth. And there is nothing in all this Controverſie
maintained by me (that expect to be better inſtructed by thoſe
who profeſs theſe Studies) which I ſhall not retract, if any per
ſons ſhall by ſolid Reaſons & reiterated Experiments, prove ſome
other Hypotheſis to be more probable; but yet, until ſuch time as
they ſhall decide the Point, I ſhall labour all I can for its ſupport.
My firſt and chiefeſt Maxime is this; When any thing is at
tributed in Holy Writ, to God, or to a Creature, thats not be
ſeeming to, or incommenſurate with them, it muſt of neceſſity
be received and expounded one, or more of the four following
wayes; Firſt, it may be ſaid to agree with them Metaphorically,
and Proportionally, or by Similitude. Secondly, According to
our manner of Conſidering, Apprehending, Conceiving, Vnderſtand
ing, Knowing, &c. Thirdly, according to the Opinion of the
Vulgar, and the Common way of Speaking: to which Vulgar
Speech the Holy Ghoſt doth very often with much ſtudy acco
modate it ſelf. Fourthly, In reſpect of our ſelves, and for that
he makes himſelf like unto us. Of each of theſe wayes there are
theſe examples: God doth not walk, ſince he is Infinite and Im
moveable; He hath no Bodily Members, ſince he is a Pure Act;
and conſequently is void of all Paſſion of Minde; and yet in
Sacred Scripture, Gen. 3. verſ. 8. it is ſaid, He walked in the cool of
the day: and Job 22. verſ. 14. it is ſaid, He walketh in the ^{*} Cir
cuit of Heaven: and in many other places coming, departing,
making haſt is aſcribed to God; and likewiſe Bodily parts, as
Eyes, Ears, Lips, Face, Voice, Countenance, Hands, Feet, Bow
els, Garments, Arms; as alſo many Paſſions, ſuch as Anger,
tributed in Holy Writ, to God, or to a Creature, thats not be
ſeeming to, or incommenſurate with them, it muſt of neceſſity
be received and expounded one, or more of the four following
wayes; Firſt, it may be ſaid to agree with them Metaphorically,
and Proportionally, or by Similitude. Secondly, According to
our manner of Conſidering, Apprehending, Conceiving, Vnderſtand
ing, Knowing, &c. Thirdly, according to the Opinion of the
Vulgar, and the Common way of Speaking: to which Vulgar
Speech the Holy Ghoſt doth very often with much ſtudy acco
modate it ſelf. Fourthly, In reſpect of our ſelves, and for that
he makes himſelf like unto us. Of each of theſe wayes there are
theſe examples: God doth not walk, ſince he is Infinite and Im
moveable; He hath no Bodily Members, ſince he is a Pure Act;
and conſequently is void of all Paſſion of Minde; and yet in
Sacred Scripture, Gen. 3. verſ. 8. it is ſaid, He walked in the cool of
the day: and Job 22. verſ. 14. it is ſaid, He walketh in the ^{*} Cir
cuit of Heaven: and in many other places coming, departing,
making haſt is aſcribed to God; and likewiſe Bodily parts, as
Eyes, Ears, Lips, Face, Voice, Countenance, Hands, Feet, Bow
els, Garments, Arms; as alſo many Paſſions, ſuch as Anger,