Valerius Terminus: Of the Interpretation of NatureBacon, Francis
Religion
Valerius Terminus: Of the Interpretation of Nature
Bacon, Francis
Science -- Methodology
| itself only to grasp and illustrate
| revelation; it does not inquire. This
| is the foundation of Bacon's
| distinction between true natural
| philosophy, which inquires into the
| world as God's manifestation of his
| GLORY or power, and true theology,
| which piously interprets the
| scripturally revealed meaning of
| God's inscrutable will. The natural
| world declares God's glory but not
| his will (III, 478). Reason's power
| in theology therefore "consisteth of
| probation and argument." lt
| formulates doctrine only insofar as
| God's revelation, largely or wholly
| through Scripture, makes it possible.
| The Lord "doth grift [graft) his
| revelations and holy doctrine upon
| the notions of our reason, and
| applieth his inspirations to open our
| understanding" (III, 480). (pp. 172-
| 173)
GRATIFY HIM?{19} But if any man without | 19. Job 13, 7-9:
any sinister humour doth indeed make doubt | Authorized Version: Will ye speak
that this digging further and further into | wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully
| for him? Will ye accept his person?
| will ye contend for God? Is it good
| that he should search you out? as one
| man mocketh another, do ye so mock
| him?
the mine of natural knowledge{20} is a | 20. This image is also used in A.L. Sp.
thing without example and uncommended in | III, 351, I, 16 where Bacon refers to
the Scriptures, or fruitless; let him | Democritus (Vert's footnote)
remember and be instructed; for behold it |
was not that pure light of natural |
knowledge, whereby man in paradise was |
able to give unto every living creature a |
name according to his propriety{21}, which | 21. Genesis 2,19-20
gave occasion to the fall; but it was an | Geneva Bible: So the Lord God formed
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