RELIGIOUS OPINIONS. CCCCXXXl 



Dr. Rawley says, &quot; For that treatise of his lordship s, 

 inscribed, A Confession of the Faith, I have ranked that in 

 the close of this whole volume ; thereby to demonstrate to 

 the world that he was a master in divinity, as well as in 

 philosophy or politics, and that he was versed no less in 

 the saving knowledge than in the universal and adorning 

 knowledges; for though he composed the same many years 

 before his death, yet I thought that to be the fittest place, 

 as the most acceptable incense unto God of the faith 

 wherein he resigned his breath ; the crowning of all his 

 other perfections and abilities ; and the best perfume of his 

 name to the world after his death. This confession of his 

 faith doth abundantly testify that he was able to render a 

 reason of the hope which was in him.&quot; () 



It might be said of him, as one of the most deep thinking 

 of men said of himself, &quot; For my religion, though there be 

 several circumstances that might persuade the world I 

 have none at all, yet, in despight thereof, I dare, without 

 usurpation, assume the honourable style of a Christian: 

 not that I merely owe this title to the font, my education, 



Francis Bacon, Knight, Viscount St. Albans, about the time he was 

 Solicitor General to our late sovereign lord King James.&quot; 



This tract was republished in 1757. A Confession of Faith, written by 

 the Right Honourable Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam, republished with 

 a preface on the subject of authority in religious matters, and adapted to 

 the exigency of the present times. London, printed for W. Owen, at 

 Temple Bar, 1757. 8vo. pp. 26 



(&amp;lt;/) This tract is thus noticed by Archbishop Tennison in the Baconiana. 

 His Confession of Faith, written by him in English, and turned into 

 Latin by Dr. Rawley, upon which there was some correspondence between 

 Dr. Maynwaring and Dr. Rawley. See vol. xii. of this edit. p. 209. 

 It is stated in one of the MSS. to have been written before or when Sir 

 Francis Bacon was Solicitor General, and in the Remains it is entitled, 

 &quot; Confession of Faith, written by Sir Francis Bacon, knight, Viscount 

 St. Albans, about the time he was Solicitor General to our late sovereign 

 lord King James.&quot; 



