260 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [XXV. u. 



So as this course of sums and commentaries is that which 

 doth infallibly make the body of sciences more immense 

 in quantity, and more base in substance. 



12. And for strength, it is true that knowledges reduced 

 into exact methods have a show of strength, in that each 

 part seemeth to support and sustain the other; but this 

 is more satisfactory than substantial : like unto buildings 

 which stand by architecture and compaction, which are 

 more subject to ruin than those that are built more 

 strong in their several parts, though less compacted. But 

 it is plain that the more you recede from your grounds, 

 the weaker do you conclude : and as in nature, the more 

 you remove yourself from particulars^ the greater peril of 

 error you do incur : so much more in divinity, the more 

 you recede from the scriptures by inferences and conse 

 quences, the more weak and dilute are your positions. 



13. And as for perfection or completeness in divinity, 

 it is not to be sought ; which makes this course of arti 

 ficial divinity the more suspect. For he that will reduce 

 a knowledge into an art, will make it round and uniform : 

 but in divinity many things must be left abrupt, and con 

 cluded with this: O altiludo sapientia et scienticB Dei! 

 quam incomprehensibilia sunt udicia efus, et non investiga- 

 bi les vice ejus. So again the apostle saith, Ex parte sci- 

 mus ; and to have the form of a total, where there is but 

 matter for a part, cannot be without supplies by sup 

 position and presumption. And therefore I. conclude, that 

 the true use of these sums and methods hath place in 

 institutions or introductions preparatory unto knowledge : 

 but in them, or by deducement from them, to handle the 

 main body and substance of a knowledge, is in all sciences 

 prejudicial, and in divinity dangerous. 



14. As to the interpretation of the scriptures solute 



