expect that the world will be patiently dragged at the chariot wheels of his philosophy. Mind has its inertia as well as matter, and its progress to truth can only be insured by the gradual and patient removal of the obstructions which surround it." It cannot be denied that Galileo had too much overlooked these salutary truths. But it might be offered in excuse for the reckless sarcasm which he poured upon his opponents, that he suffered great irritation from their mode of assailing him. It is said that the lion of the forest goes into the contest with entire self-possession when he meets an enemy which he views as somewhat his equal in strength; but when assailed by the insects that sometimes creep into his mane, and fix their puny fangs in his flesh, he can be stung into the wildness of fury. Such were some of the small antagonists who vexed the spirit of Galileo. One of them, a Dominican Friar named Caccini, employed the pulpit not only to attack the astronomer, but to represent astronomy itself as a thing forbidden by the Scriptures; taking for his text, "Ye men of Galilee why, stand ye gazing up into Heaven ?”—the language of the Vulgate, from which he quoted, furnishing by a singular coincidence a pretext for the miserable pun which he tried to perpetrate or Galileo's name; and yet, contemptible as the artifice was, it is said, to have produced no small effect in those times of ignorance and superstition. 380 NOTES TO SIXTH LECTURE. It is not to be denied that others, besides the monks of Galileo's day, have been very slow to receive his philosophy. The following instance shows with what difficulty the strongest minds are sometimes disentangled from long habits of thought, especially on sacred subjects. Francis Turretin was no ordinary man. In the latter part of the seventeenth century, more than fifty years after the discoveries of Galileo had made themselves felt in the scientific world, he was Professor of Divinity at Geneva, and filled the place with great reputation to himself as a theologian. His memory is still perpetuated, and held in reverence in many Protestant churches, chiefly on account of his "Institutio Theologiæ Eleneticæ." And yet we find him affirming, "in opposition," as he says, "to certain philosophers," that "the sun and moon move in the heavens, and revolve around the earth, while the earth remains at rest;" and to prove his posi tion he advances arguments, so unphilosophical and inconclusive, that they would go with many readers, to throw discredit on his whole system of theology. His example shows how important it is that Divines should keep up with the science of their day, and that they be furnished with the means of doing so. INDEX. A. ADDISON, his opinion of testimony to religion at the ARTISTS, distinguished, who embraced Christianity. p. B. BACON, Roger, his early scientific discoveries. pp. philosopher. pp. 271-273 121-123, 137 the part he acted in the spread of Inductive Philosophy. pp. BEATTIE, Dr. his 'Hermit '-key to some of its most his exposure of Hume's profligacy. pp. BEDE, his employment and happiness when dying. pp. |