1822That the earth may be a Planet
and Opinion of others, and then afterwards
to deſcend unto the Reaſons that may be
drawn from the Nature and Eſſence of the
things themſelves: Becauſe theſe inartificial
Arguments (as the Logicians call them) do
not carry with them any clear and convin-
cing evidence; and therefore ſhould come
after thoſe that are of more neceſſary depen-
dance, as ſerving rather to confirm, than re-
ſolve the Judgment.
to deſcend unto the Reaſons that may be
drawn from the Nature and Eſſence of the
things themſelves: Becauſe theſe inartificial
Arguments (as the Logicians call them) do
not carry with them any clear and convin-
cing evidence; and therefore ſhould come
after thoſe that are of more neceſſary depen-
dance, as ſerving rather to confirm, than re-
ſolve the Judgment.
But yet, ſo it is, that in thoſe points which
are beſides the common Opinion, Men are
carried away at the firſt by the general cry,
and ſeldom or never come ſo far as to ex-
amine the reaſons that may be urged for
them. And therefore, ſince it is the purpoſe
of this diſcourſe to remove thoſe prejudices
which may hinder our Judgment in the like
caſe, ’tis requiſit that in the firſt place there
be ſome ſatisfaction given to thoſe Argu-
ments that may be taken from the Authori-
ty of others.
are beſides the common Opinion, Men are
carried away at the firſt by the general cry,
and ſeldom or never come ſo far as to ex-
amine the reaſons that may be urged for
them. And therefore, ſince it is the purpoſe
of this diſcourſe to remove thoſe prejudices
which may hinder our Judgment in the like
caſe, ’tis requiſit that in the firſt place there
be ſome ſatisfaction given to thoſe Argu-
ments that may be taken from the Authori-
ty of others.
Which Arguments are inſiſted on by our
adverſaries with much heat and violence.
adverſaries with much heat and violence.
What (ſay they) ſhall an upſtart Novel-
ty thruſt out ſuch a Truth as hath paſſed by
ſucceſſive Tradition through all Ages of the
World? And hath been generally entertain-
ed, not only in the Opinion of the vulgar,
11Alex.
Roſſ. de
Terræ
motu, co@-
træ Lan@b.
lib. 1. ſect.
1. cap. 10 but alſo of the greateſt Philoſophers and
moſt Learned Men? Shall we think that amongſt the multitude of thoſe who in ſeve-
ral times have been eminent for new inven-
tions and ſtrange diſcoveries, there was none
ty thruſt out ſuch a Truth as hath paſſed by
ſucceſſive Tradition through all Ages of the
World? And hath been generally entertain-
ed, not only in the Opinion of the vulgar,
11Alex.
Roſſ. de
Terræ
motu, co@-
træ Lan@b.
lib. 1. ſect.
1. cap. 10 but alſo of the greateſt Philoſophers and
moſt Learned Men? Shall we think that amongſt the multitude of thoſe who in ſeve-
ral times have been eminent for new inven-
tions and ſtrange diſcoveries, there was none