Of the advancement and proficience of learning; or, The partitions of sciences· Nine books. Written in Latin by the most eminent, illustrious, and famous Lord Francis Bacon Baron of Verulam, Vicount St. Alban, Councellor of Estate, and Lord Chancellor of England. Interpreted by Gilbert Watts.

THE EXPLICATION.

THere is implanted in man by nature, a noble and ex∣cellent Affection of Piety and compassion, which ex∣tends it selfe even to bruit creatures, that are by di∣vine ordination subject to his command: and this Compassi∣on hath some Analogy with that of a Prince towards his sub∣jects. Nay farther, it is most certaine, that the more noble the mind is, the more compassionate it is; for contracted & degenerate minds, think these things nothing to pertaine to them; but the Mind, which is a nobler portion of the world, is affected in the grosse out of community. Where∣fore we see that there were under the old Law, many pre∣cepts, not so meerely Ceremoniall, as Institutions of Mercy; such as was that of not eating flesh with the blood thereof, and the like: even in the sect of the Esseans and Pythagoreans, they altogither abstain'd from eating Flesh; which to this day is observed by an inviolate superstition, by many of the Easterne people under the Mogol. Nay the Turkes, (both by Descent and Discipline a cruell and bloudy Nation) yet bestow almes upon Bruit Creatures; and cannot endure to see the venation and torture of any live thing. But least, what we have said, should perchance seem to maintaine all kinds of Mercy; Salomon upon sound advice annexeth, That the Mercies of the wicked are cruell: These mercies, are, when leud and wicked persons, are spar'd from being cut off by the sword of justice; this kind of Mercy is more Cru∣ell, than Cruelty it selfe: for Cruelty is extended in practise on particulars; but this kind of Mercy, by a grant of impunity, armes and subornes the whole band of impious men a∣gainst the innocent.