1profitable to the publick, to build a great part of their eſteem
and reputation on the credit of Ariſtotle he is much puzzled and
perplexed: and methinks I hear him ſay, To whom then ſhould
we repair for the deciſion of our controverſies, if Ariſtotle were
removed from the chair? What other Author ſhould we follow
in the Schools, Academies and Studies? What Philoſopher hath
writ all the parts of Natural Philoſophy, and that ſo methodically
without omitting ſo much as one ſingle concluſion? Shall we then
overthrow that Fabrick under which ſo many paſſengers find
ſhelter? Shall we deſtroy that Aſylum, that Prytaneum,
in ſo many Students meet with commodious harbour, where
without expoſing themſelves to the injuries of the air, with the
onely turning over of a few leaves, one may learn all the
crets of Nature? Shall we diſmantle that fort in which we are
ſafe from all hoſtile aſſaults? But I pitie him no more than I do
that Gentleman who with great expence of time and treaſure,
and the help of many hundred artiſts, erects a very
ous Pallace, and afterwards beholds it ready to fall, by reaſon
of the bad foundation; but being extremely unwilling to ſee
the Walls ſtript which are adorned with ſo many beautifull
Pictures; or to ſuffer the columns to fall, that uphold the
ly Galleries; or the gilded roofs, chimney-pieces, the freizes,
the corniſhes of marble, with ſo much coſt erected, to be
ned; goeth about with girders, props, ſhoars, butteraſſes, to
vent their ſubverſion.
and reputation on the credit of Ariſtotle he is much puzzled and
perplexed: and methinks I hear him ſay, To whom then ſhould
we repair for the deciſion of our controverſies, if Ariſtotle were
removed from the chair? What other Author ſhould we follow
in the Schools, Academies and Studies? What Philoſopher hath
writ all the parts of Natural Philoſophy, and that ſo methodically
without omitting ſo much as one ſingle concluſion? Shall we then
overthrow that Fabrick under which ſo many paſſengers find
ſhelter? Shall we deſtroy that Aſylum, that Prytaneum,
in ſo many Students meet with commodious harbour, where
without expoſing themſelves to the injuries of the air, with the
onely turning over of a few leaves, one may learn all the
crets of Nature? Shall we diſmantle that fort in which we are
ſafe from all hoſtile aſſaults? But I pitie him no more than I do
that Gentleman who with great expence of time and treaſure,
and the help of many hundred artiſts, erects a very
ous Pallace, and afterwards beholds it ready to fall, by reaſon
of the bad foundation; but being extremely unwilling to ſee
the Walls ſtript which are adorned with ſo many beautifull
Pictures; or to ſuffer the columns to fall, that uphold the
ly Galleries; or the gilded roofs, chimney-pieces, the freizes,
the corniſhes of marble, with ſo much coſt erected, to be
ned; goeth about with girders, props, ſhoars, butteraſſes, to
vent their ſubverſion.
The Declamation
of Simplicius.
of Simplicius.
SALV. But alaſs, Simplicius as yet fears no ſuch fall, and
I would undertake to ſecure him from that miſchief at a far
leſs charge. There is no danger that ſo great a multitude of
ſubtle and wiſe Philoſophers, ſhould ſuffer themſelves to be
Hector'd by one or two, who make a little bluſtering; nay,
they will rather, without ever turning the points of their pens
againſt them, by their ſilence onely render them the object of
univerſal ſcorn and contempt. It is a fond conceit for any one
to think to introduce new Philoſophy, by reproving this or that
Author: it will be firſt neceſſary to new-mold the brains of
men, and make them apt to diſtinguiſh truth from falſhood. A
thing which onely God can do. But from one diſcourſe to another
whither are we ſtray'd? your memory muſt help to guide me into
the way again.
I would undertake to ſecure him from that miſchief at a far
leſs charge. There is no danger that ſo great a multitude of
ſubtle and wiſe Philoſophers, ſhould ſuffer themſelves to be
Hector'd by one or two, who make a little bluſtering; nay,
they will rather, without ever turning the points of their pens
againſt them, by their ſilence onely render them the object of
univerſal ſcorn and contempt. It is a fond conceit for any one
to think to introduce new Philoſophy, by reproving this or that
Author: it will be firſt neceſſary to new-mold the brains of
men, and make them apt to diſtinguiſh truth from falſhood. A
thing which onely God can do. But from one diſcourſe to another
whither are we ſtray'd? your memory muſt help to guide me into
the way again.
Peripatetick
loſophy
able.
loſophy
able.