But as it is, I believe it hath framed the minds of a thousand gentlemen to a conscientious obedience to present government, which otherwise would have wavered in that point. This therefore was no vaunting, but a necessary part of the business I took in hand. You ought also to have considered, that this was said in the close of that part of my book which concerneth policy merely civil. Which part, if you, the astronomer, that now think the doctrine unworthy to be taught, were pleased once to honour with praises printed before it, you are not very constant nor ingenuous. But whether you did so or not, I am not certain, though it was told me for certain. If it were not you, it was somebody else whose judgment has as much weight at least as yours. And for anything you have to say from your own knowledge, I remember not that I ever saw either of your faces. Yet you, the professor of geometry, go about obliquely to make me believe that Vindex hath discoursed with me, once at least, though I remember it not. I suppose it therefore true; but this I am sure is false, that either he or any man living did ever hear me brag of my science, or praise myself, but when my defence required it. Perhaps some of our philosophers that were at Paris at the same time, and acquainted with the same learned men that I was acquainted with, might take for bragging the maintaining of my opinions, and the not yielding to the reasons alledged against them. If that be ostentation, they tell you the truth. But you that are so wise should have considered, that even such men as profess philosophy are carried away with the passions of emulation and envy (the sole ground of this your accusation) as well as other men, and instanced in yourselves. And this is sufficient to shake off your aspersions of ostentation and self-conceit. For if I added, that my acquaintance know that I am naturally of modest rather than of boasting speech, you will not believe it; because you distinguish not between that which is said upon provocation, and that which is said without provocation, from vain glory.