(4) _The Attitude of the Church toward Science differs in the Two Periods._ In the Humanistic Period the attitude of the church toward the new learning was not yet defined. This was because the bearing of the new learning upon dogma was not yet understood. On the one hand, on matters upon which the church had clearly declared itself, it was easily seen what could and what could not be believed. But, on the other hand, the significance of much of the wealth of the newly acquired learning could not at first be fully determined. The enthusiasm for science was so widespread, and the new discoveries were so many, that the church was unable to know what was consistent with dogma and what was not. At the outset the church was inclined to treat the new science with contemptuous toleration. Nevertheless, in spite of the new intellectual intoxication there was no real freedom of thought. The position of science was merely precarious, uncertain, and undefined. In the Natural Science Period this uncertainty was dispelled because dogma came into violent conflict with science. It was soon found that questions in physics involved metaphysics, and that the new science touched the church doctrines at every point. In 1563 the church authorities at the Council of Trent settled dogma for all time. Great conflicts arose between the church and the secularizing spirit. The scientist became wary. He tried to avoid any intrusion upon the field of theology, and he insisted that his own field existed quite independent of theological dogma. But practically it was impossible for science not to take heretical positions, and this was especially true of the Rationalistic School, which tried to construct a new scholasticism. Safe independence of thought was not gained until the next period (the Enlightenment), and this was brought to pass by political changes. =A Brief Contrast of the Two Periods――A Summary of the Discussion above.= _The Humanistic Period._ (1) The Time――1453–1600. (2) The Countries Concerned――Italy and Germany. (3) The Intellectual Standards――Neo-Platonism and other theories of antiquity. (4) The Method――magic. (5) The Relation of Science to the Church――precarious and uncertain. _The Natural Science Period._ (1) The Time――1600–1690. (2) The Countries Concerned――England, France, and the Low Countries. (3) The Intellectual Standard――the mechanism of nature facts. (4) The Method――induction and mathematical deduction in various combinations. (5) The Relation of Science to the Church――so definitely stated as to be placed in conflict with dogma. CHAPTER III THE HUMANISTIC PERIOD OF THE RENAISSANCE (1453–1600)