Not to trouble you with an Invective against those multitudes of Pamphlets which are every day prest into the World; or an Apology, why this was published amongst the rest (the usuall matter for such kind of Epistles:) Let me in briefe admonish you somthing concerning the chiefe scope and manner of this following discourse.
1 ‘Tis not the purpose of it, to set downe an exact Treatise of this kind of Astronomy; but rather to remove those common prejudices, which usually deterre men from taking any Argument tending this way, into their considerations. For we may obserue, that in those points which are cryed downe by the more generall opinion, men doe for the most part rest themselves in the superficiall knowledge of things, as they seem at their first appearances, thinking they can say enough to any Paradox, against which they can urge the most obvious and easie Objections; and therefore seldome or never search into the depth of these points, or enter into any serious impartiall examination of those grounds on which they are bottomed. Which as it must needs be a great hinderance to the proficiencie of all kind of Learning: so more especially is it in this particular. We might discerne a greater comelinesse and order in this great Fabricke of the World, and more easily understand the appearances in Astronomy, if we could with indifferencie attend to what might bee said for that opinion of Copernicus, which is here defended.
2 For the manner. It is not maintained with such heate and religion, as if every one that reads it, were presently bound to yeeld up his assent: But as it is in other Warres where victory cannot bee had, Men must be content with peace: So likewise is it in this, and should bee in all other Philosophicall contentions. If there bee nothing able to convince and satisfie the indifferent Reader, hee may still injoy his owne opinion. All men have not the same way of apprehending things; but according to the varietie of their temper, custome, and abilities, their Vnderstandings are severally fashioned to different assents: Which had it beene but well considered by some of our hot1 adversaries, they would not have shewed more violence in opposing the Persons against whom they write, than strength in confuting the cause.
‘Tis an excellent rule to bee observed in all disputes, That Men should give soft Words and hard Arguments, that they would not so much strive to vex, as to convince an Enemy. If this were but diligently practised in all cases, and on all sides, wee might in a good measure bee freed from those vexations in the search of Truth, which the wise Solomon, by his owne experience did so much complaine of, Ecclesiastes, 1. 18. In much Wisedome there is much Griefe, and he that increaseth Knowledge, increaseth Sorrow.
To conclude: Though there should be nothing in this discourse conducible to your Information and Benefit; yet it may serve in the Perusall, as it did in the Composure for the recreation of such leisure houres, as may conveniently bee spared from more weighty imploiments.
Farewell.
← Book 1, Proposition 14. That tis possible for some of our posteritie, to find · Contents · Book 2, Proposition 1. That the seeming Noveltie and Singularitie of this →
Footnotes
-
Fromond. Al. Ross. ↩