say who have attempted to propound doctrines concerning magnitudes,—who, observing the fruitless labour of the majority [of speculators], where each after a different fashion coined his own falsehoods and attained celebrity, have ventured to make some greater assertion, in order that they might be highly magnified by those who mightily extol their contemptible lies. These suppose the existence of circles, and measures, and triangles, and squares, both in twofold and threefold array. Their argumentation, however, in regard of this matter, is extensive, yet it is not necessary in reference to the subject which we have taken in hand.
Chapter viii.
Prodigies of the Astrologers—System of the Astronomers—Chaldæan Doctrine of Circles—Distances of the Heavenly Bodies.
I reckon it then sufficient to declare the prodigies[1] detailed by these men. Wherefore, employing condensed accounts of what they affirm, I shall turn my attention to the other points [that remain to be considered]. Now they make the following statements.[2] The Creator communicated preeminent power to the orbital motion of the identical and similar [circle], for He permitted the revolution of it to be one and indivisible; but after dividing this internally into six parts, [and thus having formed] seven unequal circles, according to each interval of a twofold and threefold dimension, He commanded, since there were three of each, that the circles should travel in orbits contrary to one another, three indeed [out of the aggregate of seven] being whirled along with equal velocity, and four of them with a speed dissimilar to each other and to the remaining three, yet [all] according to a definite principle. For he affirms that the mastery was communicated to the orbital motion of the same [circle], not only since it embraces the motion of the other, that is, the
