Page:Mathematical collections and translations, in two tomes - Salusbury (1661).djvu/67

 they cannot be dissipated by one sole conversion about the Sun, which is accomplished in less than a moneth.

I, for my part, have not made either so long, or so exact observations, as to enable me to boast my self Master of the Quod est of this matter: but I will more accurately consider the same, and make tryal my self for my own satisfaction, whether I can reconcile that which experience shews us, with that which Aristotle teacheth us; for it's a certain Maxim, that two Truths cannot be contrary to one another.

If you would reconcile that which sense shewed you, with the solider Doctrines of Aristotle, you will find no great difficulty in the undertaking; and that so it is, doth not Aristotle say, that one cannot treat confidently of the things of Heaven, by reason of their great remoteness?

He expresly saith so.

And doth he not likewise affirm, that we ought to prefer that which sense demonstrates, before all Arguments, though in appearance never so well grounded? and saith he not this without the least doubt or haesitation?

He doth so.

Why then, the second of these propositions, which are both the doctrine of Aristotle, that saith, that sense is to take place of Logick, is a doctrine much more solid and undoubted, than that other which holdeth the Heavens to be unalterable; and therefore you shall argue more Aristotelically, saying, the Heavens are alterable, for that so my sense telleth me, than if you should say, the Heavens are ualterable, for that Logick so perswaded Aristotle. Furthermore, we may discourse of Cœlestial matters much better than Aristotle; because, he confessing the knowledg thereof to be difficult to him, by reason of their remoteness from the senses, he thereby acknowledgeth, that one to whom the senses can better represent the same, may philosophate upon them with more certainty. Now we by help of the Telescope, are brought thirty or forty times nearer to the Heavens, than ever Aristotle came; so that we may discover in them an hundred things, which he could not see, and amongst the rest, these spots in the Sun, which were to him absolutely invisible; therefore we may discourse of the Heavens and Sun, with more certainty than AristolteAristotle [sic].

I see into the heart of Simplicius, and know that he is much moved at the strength of these so convincing Arguments; but on the other side, when he considereth the great authority which Aristotle hath won with all men, and remembreth the great number of famous Interpreters, which have made it their business to explain his sense; and seeth other Sciences, so necessary and