1844That the Earth may be a Planet.
to the Opinion of any Man, as to think what
ever he ſays to be infallible. We muſt la-
bour to find out what things are in them-
ſelves by our own experience, and a through
examination of their natures, not what an-
other ſays of them. And if in ſuch an im-
partial enquiry, we chance to light upon a
new way, and that which is beſides the com-
mon rode, this is neither our fault, nor our
unhappineſs.
ever he ſays to be infallible. We muſt la-
bour to find out what things are in them-
ſelves by our own experience, and a through
examination of their natures, not what an-
other ſays of them. And if in ſuch an im-
partial enquiry, we chance to light upon a
new way, and that which is beſides the com-
mon rode, this is neither our fault, nor our
unhappineſs.
Not our fault, becauſe it did not ariſe from
Singularity or Affectation. Not our unhap-
pineſs, becauſe it is rather a Priviledge to be
the firſt in finding out ſuch Truths, as are not
diſcernable to every common eye. If No-
velty ſhould always be rejected, neither
would Arts have arrived to that perfection
wherein now we enjoy them, nor could we
ever hope for any future Reformation:
Though all Truth be in it ſelf Eternal; yet
in reſpect of Mens Opinions, there is ſcarce
any ſo antient, but had a beginning, and was
once accounted a Novelty; and if for this
reaſon it had been condemned as an errour,
what a general darkneſs and ignorance
would then have been in the World, in com-
pariſon of that light which now abounds;
according to that of the Poet:
Singularity or Affectation. Not our unhap-
pineſs, becauſe it is rather a Priviledge to be
the firſt in finding out ſuch Truths, as are not
diſcernable to every common eye. If No-
velty ſhould always be rejected, neither
would Arts have arrived to that perfection
wherein now we enjoy them, nor could we
ever hope for any future Reformation:
Though all Truth be in it ſelf Eternal; yet
in reſpect of Mens Opinions, there is ſcarce
any ſo antient, but had a beginning, and was
once accounted a Novelty; and if for this
reaſon it had been condemned as an errour,
what a general darkneſs and ignorance
would then have been in the World, in com-
pariſon of that light which now abounds;
according to that of the Poet:
Quod ſi tam Antiquis Novitas inviſa 11 Horæt.
lib. 2. ep. 1. Quam nobis, quid nunc eſſet vetus aut quid habe-
Quodlegerent tereretq; viritim publicus uſus? (ret,
If our Forefathers had but hated thus,
All that were new, what had been old to us?
lib. 2. ep. 1. Quam nobis, quid nunc eſſet vetus aut quid habe-
Quodlegerent tereretq; viritim publicus uſus? (ret,
If our Forefathers had but hated thus,
All that were new, what had been old to us?
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