The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

OF THE INTERPRETATION OF NATURE. 95
and love of novelty; and again, of over-servile beliefs, is adverse to knowledge: because men
reverence, or over-light scorn of the opinions of having liberty to inquire and discourse of theoloothers. gy at pleasure, it cometh to pass that all inquisition of nature endeth and limiteth itself in such
CHAPTER XXII. metaphysical or theological discourse; whereas
if men's wits be shut out of that port, it turneth
OF' the impediments which have been in the them again to discover, and so to seek reason of
affection of pride, specially of one kind, which is reason more deeply. And that such was the relithe disdain of dwelling and being conversant gion of the heathen. That a religion that is jealmuch in experiences and particulars, especially ous of the variety of learning, discourse, opinions,
such as are vulgar in occurrency, and base and and sects, as misdoubting it may shake the founignoble in use. That besides certain higher dations, or that cherisheth devotion upon simplimysteries of pride, generalities seem to have a city and ignorance, as ascribing ordinary effects
dignity and solemnity, in that they do not put to the immediate working of God, is adverse to
men in mind of their familiar actions, in that they knowledge. That such is the religion of the
have less affinity with arts mechanical and Turk, and such hath been the abuse of Christian
illiberal, in that they are not so subject to be con- religion at some several times, and in some
trolled by persons of mean observation, in that several factions. And of the singular advantage
they seem to teach men that they know not, and which the Christian religion hath towards the
not refer them to that they know. All which condi- furtherance of true knowledge, in that it extions directly feeding the humour of pride, parti- cludeth and interdicteth human reason, whether
culars do want. That the majesty of generalities, by interpretation or anticipation, from examining
and the divine nature of the mind in taking them, or discussing of the mysteries and principles of
if they be truly collected, and be indeed the direct faith.
reflexions of things, cannot be too much magnified. And that it is true, that interpretation is the CHAPTER XXVI.
very natural and direct intention, action, and progression of the understanding, delivered from im- OF the impediments which have been in the
pediments. And that all anticipation is but a nature of society, and the policies of state. That
deflexion or declination by accident. there is no composition of estate or society, nor
order or quality of persons, which have not some
Cpoint of contrariety towards true knowledge.
That monarchies incline wits to profit and pleaOF the impediments which have been in the sure, and commonwealths to glory and vanity
state of heathen religion, and other superstitions That universities incline wits to sophistry and
and errors of religion. And that in the true reli- affectation; cloisters to fables and unprofitable
gion there hath not, nor is any impediment, ex- subtilty; study at large to variety; and that it is
cept it be by accident or intermixture of humour. hard to say, whether mixture of contemplations
That a religion which consisteth in rites and with an active life, or retiring wholly to contern.
forms of adoration, and not in confessions and plations, do disable and hinder the mind more.