Archimedes Texts

475
of the Antipodes by many of the Antients of approved Wis
dome and Learning was held a Paradox no less absurd than this
Our Opinion of the Earths Motion may seem to be; as likewise
that of the Habitablenesse of the Torrid Zone: Of these Opini
ons, the first was accounted unpossible by many, but the latter
was absolutely denyed by the unanimous consent of all: But
later Authors (to the great felicity and perpetual Glory of
their Age) have, not so much by Authority, as by accurate
diligence and indefatigable study to finde out the truth, pro
ved them both to be undoubtedly true. Thus I affirm that
the Antients were deceived, and that in too lightly challenging
Credid and Authority for their Inventions, they discovered too
much folly. Here for brevities sake I pass by many Dreams
lately detected, both of Aristotle and other of the antient Philo
sophers; who in all likelihood if they had dived into the Obser
vations of Modern Writers, and understood their Reasons, would,
by changing their Judgements, have given them the precedency,
and would have subscribed to their manifest Truth. Hereby we
see that we are not to have so high a respect for the Antiens, that
whatever they assert should be taken upon trust, and that Faith
should be given to their sayings, as if they were Oracles and
Truths sent down from Heaven. But yet (which indeed is
chiefly to be regarded in these matters) if any thing be found out
that is repugnant to Divine Authority, or to the Sacred Leaves,
that were dictated by the Holy Ghost, and by His Inspiration

expounded by the Holy Doctors of the Church, in this case not
onely Humane Reason, but even Sense it self is to submitt:
which, though by all manner of weighty Conditions and circum
stances it should hold forth any thing contrary to Divine Autho
rity, (which indeed is so plain, that there is no way left to evade
the right un erstanding of it) yet is it to be rejected; and we
must conclude our selves deceived by it, and believe that that is
not true which Sense and Reason represents unto us: For, however
we judge of things, we have, both in this and all other cases, a
more certain knowledge, which proceeds from Divine Faith; as
S. Peter hath most excellently exprest it: Who though with his
Senses he saw, and perceived the Glory of our Lord in his
Transfiguration, and heard his words manifesting his great Pow
er, yet nevertheless all these things compared with the Light of
Faith, he adds: ^{*}We have also a more sure word of Prophecy, &c.

Wherefore since this Opinion of Pythagoras and Copernicus hath
entred upon the Stage of the World in so strange a Dress, and at
the first appearance (besides the rest) doth seem to oppose sun
dry Authorities of Sacred Scripture, it hath (this being granted)
been justly rejected of all men as a meer absurdity.