NOVUM ORGAN UM. 67 



served, &quot; Ye err, not knowing the scriptures and the power 

 of God &quot; thus uniting in one bond the revelation of his 

 will, and the contemplation of his power. In the mean 

 while it is not wonderful that the progress of natural phi 

 losophy has been restrained, since religion, which has so 

 much influence on men s minds, has been led and hurried 

 to oppose her through the ignorance of some and the im 

 prudent zeal of others. 



90. Again, in the habits and regulations of schools, 

 universities, and the like assemblies, destined for the abode 

 of learned men, and the improvement of learning, every 

 thing is found to be opposed to the progress of the sciences. 

 For the lectures and exercises are so ordered, that any 

 thing out of the common track can scarcely enter the 

 thoughts and contemplations of the mind. If, however, 

 one or two have perhaps dared to use their liberty, they 

 can only impose the labour on themselves, without deriving 

 any advantage from the association of others : and if they 

 put up with this, they will find their industry and spirit of 

 no slight disadvantage to them in making their fortune. 

 For the pursuits of men in such situations are, as it were, 

 chained down to the writings of particular authors, and if 

 any one dare to dissent from them, he is immediately at 

 tacked as a turbulent and revolutionary spirit. Yet how 

 great is the difference between civil matters and the arts ; 

 for there is not the same danger from new activity and new 

 light. In civil matters even a change for the better is 

 suspected on account of the commotion it occasions ; for 

 civil government is supported by authority, unanimity, 

 fame, and public opinion, and not by demonstration. In 

 the arts and sciences, on the contrary, every department 

 should resound, as in mines, with new works and advances. 

 And this is the rational, though not the actual, view of the 

 case : for that administration and government of science 

 we have spoken of, is wont too rigorously to repress its 

 growth. 



91. And even should the odium I have alluded to be 

 avoided, yet it is sufficient to repress the increase of science 

 that such attempts and industry pass unrewarded. For 

 the cultivation of science and its reward belong not to the 

 same individual. The advancement of science is the work 

 of a powerful genius, the prize and reward belong to the 

 vulgar or to princes who (with a few exceptions) are scarcely 

 moderately well informed. Nay such progress is not only 

 deprived of the rewards and beneficence of individuals, but 



