Page:Galileo Galilei and the Roman Curia (IA cu31924012301754).pdf/247

 The first sought to prove that Galileo in his book had treated the stability of the sun and its central position in the universe, not as a hypothesis, but in a definite manner; the second, that in it Galileo had taught, defended, and held the doctrine of the earth's motion round the sun.

Zacharias Pasqualigus gave in three opinions. In the first he expresses his view that Galileo, by the publication of his "Dialogues," had infringed the order given him by the Holy Office not in any way to hold the Copernican opinion, nor to teach nor defend it in writing or speaking, in respect to teaching and defending, and it was very suspicious that he held it.

In his second opinion, Pasqualigus argues, by quoting passages from the "Dialogues," that although in the beginning of the book Galileo had stated that he should treat the doctrine of the double motion only as a hypothesis, he had in the course of it departed from hypothetical language, and sought to prove it by decisive arguments.

Finally, in his third opinion, Pasqualigus recurs to the special prohibition of 1616, and argues at length that Galileo has overstepped it both as regards teaching and defending, and is very strongly open to the suspicion of holding it.

By these declarations Galileo's cause was as good as decided. His transgression of the command of the Holy Office, and particularly of the special prohibition of 26th February, 1616, was proved beyond a doubt. Of his guilt