72 NOVUM OEGANUM 



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 meanwhile, it is not wonderful that the 

 progress of natural philosophy 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 imprudent zeal of others. 



XC. 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, everything 

 is found to be opposed to the progress of the sciences; for 

 the lectures and exercises are so ordered, that anything 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 labor 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 disad 

 vantage 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 attacked 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 con 

 trary, 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 



