⚠strong ghosting makes some text slightly harder to read, though the primary text remains legible

On Marin Mersenne, least of the Minims: A Sow rushing against Minerva:

A Sow rushing against Minerva: to Marin Mersenne and his Questions on Genesis:

TO MARIN MERSENNE,

To the most brotherly of brothers,

The least of the very least of the Minims; Mersenne belonged to the Order of Minims, whose name means "the least." The author sarcastically uses superlatives to mock his humility.

TO KEEP SILENT. original Greek: "ΕΥΦΗΜΕΙΝ" (Euphemein). Often used as a command for ritual silence.

Why do you paint FLUDD with black charcoal, Mersenne?
Is that color truly suited to the Floods? A pun on Robert Fludd's name and the Latin word "fluctibus" meaning waves or floods.
Is this how Francis of Paola taught you to paint? St. Francis of Paola was the founder of the Minim order.
Or did Satan rather teach you to devise such things?
Why do you tear at the Rosy Brothers The Rosicrucians (you Gargantua) with a
Backbiting tooth? Do curses become a monk?
I warn you: hereafter, spare the paper that is destined to perish;
And submit your stiff neck to the Fluddean yoke.
Believe: open your ear to the Angelic speeches,
Which the sacred Prophet pours from his Rosy mouth.
Here, let the thirsty soul drench itself in eternal gold;
Let the hungry soul live on Nectar and Ambrosia.

Poured out off-hand original Greek: "Αὐτοχεδὶς" (Autoschedis)

James Aretius of Oxford.

MARIN MERSENNE; original: "MAVRINVS MERSENNIVS"

rearranged into the anagram:

A Sow, rushing against Minerva. The Latin name "Maurinus Mersennius" is an anagram for "Sus, in Minervam ruens." This was a classical proverb describing an ignorant person challenging a goddess of wisdom.

Do you ask, little brother, why I should call you "Moorish"? A pun on "Maurinus" (Marin) and "Maurus" (a Moor or someone dark-skinned/blackened).
Hear this: the name and the omen shall match.
For that you are a monger from the black blood of the Moors,
See column 1745 of his Questions on Genesis*, etc.

Your black writings indeed betray, and your hands prove.
Just as the Sow, fond of the mud, provoked the sacred
Pallas [Athena], so you summon the learned to your own destruction.
Cease to ruin Paris original: "Lutetia" with your muddy A pun on "Lutetia" (Paris) and "lutulentis" (muddy/filthy). writings,
And to stain the Book of Genesis with your vain notes.

J.M. of Cambridge.