The New Gospel

First, I say that it seems to me that Your Reverence and Galileo did prudently to content yourself with speaking hypothetically, and not absolutely, as I have always believed Copernicus spoke.  For to say that, assuming the earth moves and sun stands still, all the appearances are saved better than with eccentrics and epicycles, is to speak well; there is no danger in this, and it is sufficient for mathematicians [astronomers].  But to want to affirm [these things], is a very dangerous thing, not only by irritating all philosophers and scholastic theologians, but also by injuring our holy faith and rendering the Holy Scriptures false.