Archimedes Texts

481
why it should rather stand in one site of that Place than in ano
ther, or why it should rather turn one part of it than another to
the Sun, if so be that every of its parts without distinction, which
is destitute of the Suns light, cannot choose but be dismal, and
much worse affected than that part which is illuminated. Hence
also would arise many other absurdities besides these.

These are the Classes, &c. from which great assaults are made
against the structure of the Pythagorick Systeme; yet by that
time I shall have first laid down six Maximes or Principles, as
impregnable Bulwarks erected against them, it will be easie to
batter them, and to defend the Hypothesis of Pythagoras from
being attaqued by them. Which before I propound, I do pro
fess (with that Humility and Modesty which becometh a Chri
stian, and a person in Religious Orders) that I do with reverence
submit what I am about to speak to the Judgment of Holy
Church. Nor have I undertaken to write these things out of
any inducements of Temerity, or Ambition, but out of Charity
and a Desire to be auxiliary to my neighbour in his inquisition
after Truth. And there is nothing in all this Controversie
maintained by me (that expect to be better instructed by those
who profess these Studies) which I shall not retract, if any per
sons shall by solid Reasons & reiterated Experiments, prove some
other Hypothesis to be more probable; but yet, until such time as
they shall decide the Point, I shall labour all I can for its support.

My first and chiefest Maxime is this; When any thing is at
tributed in Holy Writ, to God, or to a Creature, thats not be
seeming to, or incommensurate with them, it must of necessity
be received and expounded one, or more of the four following
wayes; First, it may be said to agree with them Metaphorically,
and Proportionally, or by Similitude. Secondly, According to
our manner of Considering, Apprehending, Conceiving, Vnderstand
ing, Knowing, &c. Thirdly, according to the Opinion of the
Vulgar, and the Common way of Speaking: to which Vulgar
Speech the Holy Ghost doth very often with much study acco
modate it self. Fourthly, In respect of our selves, and for that
he makes himself like unto us. Of each of these wayes there are
these examples: God doth not walk, since he is Infinite and Im
moveable; He hath no Bodily Members, since he is a Pure Act;
and consequently is void of all Passion of Minde; and yet in
Sacred Scripture, Gen. 3. vers. 8. it is said, He walked in the cool of
the day: and Job 22. vers. 14. it is said, He walketh in the ^{*} Cir

cuit of Heaven: and in many other places coming, departing,
making hast is ascribed to God; and likewise Bodily parts, as
Eyes, Ears, Lips, Face, Voice, Countenance, Hands, Feet, Bow
els, Garments, Arms; as also many Passions, such as Anger,