1to conſide ſo much in that which reaſon dictated to them, as that
they have conſidently affirmed that the ſtructure of the Univerſe
could have no other figure than that which they deſigned to
ſelves. There are alſo ſeveral other very ſerious and curious doubts,
not ſo eaſie to be reſolved by the middle ſort of wits, but yet
netrated and declared by Coperninus, which we ſhall defer till by
and by, after we have anſwered to other objections that ſeem to
make againſt this opinion. Now coming to the declarations and
anſwers to thoſe three before named grand Objections, I ſay, that
the two firſt not onely contradict not the Copernican Syſteme, but
greatly and abſolutely favour it; For both Mars and Venus ſeems
unequal to themſelves, according to the proportions aſſigned; and
Venus under the Sun ſeemeth horned, and goeth changing figures
in it ſelf exactly like the Moon.
they have conſidently affirmed that the ſtructure of the Univerſe
could have no other figure than that which they deſigned to
ſelves. There are alſo ſeveral other very ſerious and curious doubts,
not ſo eaſie to be reſolved by the middle ſort of wits, but yet
netrated and declared by Coperninus, which we ſhall defer till by
and by, after we have anſwered to other objections that ſeem to
make againſt this opinion. Now coming to the declarations and
anſwers to thoſe three before named grand Objections, I ſay, that
the two firſt not onely contradict not the Copernican Syſteme, but
greatly and abſolutely favour it; For both Mars and Venus ſeems
unequal to themſelves, according to the proportions aſſigned; and
Venus under the Sun ſeemeth horned, and goeth changing figures
in it ſelf exactly like the Moon.
SALV. Theſe things cannot be comprehended, ſave onely by
the ſenſe of ſeeing, the which by nature was not granted to man
ſo perfect, as that it was able to attain to the diſcovery of ſuch
ferences; nay even the very inſtrument of ſight is an impediment
to it ſelf: But ſince that it hath pleaſed God in our age to
ſafe to humane ingenuity, ſo admirable an invention of perfecting
our ſight, by multiplying it four, ſix, ten, twenty, thirty, and
ty times, infinite objects, that either by reaſon of their diſtance, or
for their extream ſmallneſſe were inviſible unto us, have by help
of the Teleſcope been rendered viſible.
the ſenſe of ſeeing, the which by nature was not granted to man
ſo perfect, as that it was able to attain to the diſcovery of ſuch
ferences; nay even the very inſtrument of ſight is an impediment
to it ſelf: But ſince that it hath pleaſed God in our age to
ſafe to humane ingenuity, ſo admirable an invention of perfecting
our ſight, by multiplying it four, ſix, ten, twenty, thirty, and
ty times, infinite objects, that either by reaſon of their diſtance, or
for their extream ſmallneſſe were inviſible unto us, have by help
of the Teleſcope been rendered viſible.
SAGR. But Venus and Mars are none of the objects inviſible
for their diſtance or ſmallneſſe, yea, we do diſcern them with our
bare natural ſight; why then do we not diſtinguiſh the differences
of their magnitudes and figures?
for their diſtance or ſmallneſſe, yea, we do diſcern them with our
bare natural ſight; why then do we not diſtinguiſh the differences
of their magnitudes and figures?
SALV. In this, the impediment of our very eye it ſelf hath a
great ſhare, as but even now I hinted, by which the reſplendent and
remote objects are not repreſented to us ſimple and pure; but gives
them us fringed with ſtrange and adventitious rayes, ſo long and
denſe, that their naked body ſheweth to us agrandized ten,
ty, an hundred, yea a thouſand times more than it would appear, if
the capillitious rayes were taken away.
great ſhare, as but even now I hinted, by which the reſplendent and
remote objects are not repreſented to us ſimple and pure; but gives
them us fringed with ſtrange and adventitious rayes, ſo long and
denſe, that their naked body ſheweth to us agrandized ten,
ty, an hundred, yea a thouſand times more than it would appear, if
the capillitious rayes were taken away.
Thereaſon whence
it happens that
nus and Mars do
not appear to vary
magnitude ſo much
as is requiſite.
it happens that
nus and Mars do
not appear to vary
magnitude ſo much
as is requiſite.
SAGR. Now I remember that I have read ſomething on this
ſubject, I know not whether in the Solar Letters, or in the
giatore of our common Friend, but it would be very good, aſwell
for recalling it into my memory, as for the information of
cius, who it may be never ſaw thoſe writings, that you would
clare unto us more diſtinctly how this buſineſſe ſtands, the
ledge whereof I think to be very neceſſary for the aſſiſting of us to
underſtand that of which we now ſpeak.
ſubject, I know not whether in the Solar Letters, or in the
giatore of our common Friend, but it would be very good, aſwell
for recalling it into my memory, as for the information of
cius, who it may be never ſaw thoſe writings, that you would
clare unto us more diſtinctly how this buſineſſe ſtands, the
ledge whereof I think to be very neceſſary for the aſſiſting of us to
underſtand that of which we now ſpeak.