Archimedes Texts

430
lendar, he was sent for to Rome from the remotest parts of
Germany, for to assist in this Reformation, which for that time
was left imperfect, onely because as then the true measure of
the Year and Lunar Moneth was not exactly known: whereupon
it was given him in charge by the Bishop of Sempronia, at that
time Super-intendent in that Affair, to search with reiterated
studies and pains for greater light and certainty, touching those
Cœlestial Motions. Upon which, with a Labour truly Atlantick
and with his admirable Wit, setting himself again to that Study,
he made such a progress in these Sciences, and reduced the
knowledge of the Cœlestial Motions to such exactnesse, that he
gained the title of an Excellent Astronomer. And, according
unto his Doctrine, not only the Calendar hath been since regu
lated, but the Tables of all the Motions of the Planets have al
so been calculated: and having reduced the said Doctrine into
six Books, he published them to the World at the instance of
the Cardinal of Capua, and of the Bishop of Culma. And in
regard that he had re-assumed this so laborious an enterprize by
the order of The Pope; he dedicated his Book De Revolutioni
bus Cœlestibus to His Successour, namely Paul III. which, being
then also Printed, hath been received by The Holy Church, and
read and studied by all the World, without any the least um
brage of scruple that hath ever been conceived at his Doctrine;
The which, whilst it is now proved by manifest Experiments and
necessary Demonstrations to have been well grounded, there
want not persons that, though they never saw that same Book in
tercept the reward of those many Labours to its Authour, by
causing him to be censured and pronounced an Heretick; and
this, only to satisfie a particular displeasure conceived, without
any cause, against another man, that hath no other interest in
Copernicus, but only as he is an approver of his Doctrine.

Now in regard of these false aspersions, which they so unjustly
seek to throw upon me, I have thought it necessary for my justi
fication before the World (of whose judgment in matters of
Religion and Reputation I ought to make great esteem) to
discourse concerning those Particulars, which these men produce
to scandalize and subvert this Opinion, and in a word, to con
demn it, not only as false, but also as Heretical; continually
making an Hipocritical Zeal for Religion their Shield; going a
bout moreover to interest the Sacred Scriptures in the Dispute,
and to make them in a certain sense Ministers of their deceiptful
purposes: and farthermore desiring, if I mistake not, contrary to
the intention of them, and of the Holy Fathers to extend (that I
may not say abuse) their Authority, so as that even in Conclusions
meerly Natural, and not de Fide, they would have us altogether