ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 3 



surpasses other monarchs by this property, which is peculiarly 

 your own, it is but just that this dignified pre-eminence should 

 not only be celebrated in the mouths of the present age, and be 

 transmitted to posterity, but also that it should be engraved in 

 some solid work which might serve to denote the power of so 

 great a king and the height of his learning. 



Therefore, to return to our undertaking : no oblation seemed 

 more suitable than some treatise relating to that purpose, the 

 sum of which should consist of two parts the first of the ex- 

 cellence of learning, and the merit of those who labor judiciously 

 and with energy for its propagation and development. The 

 second, to point out what part of knowledge has been already 

 labored and perfected, and what portions left unfinished or en- 

 tirely neglected ; in order, since I dare not positively advise your 

 Majesty to adopt any particular course, that by a detailed repre- 

 sentation of our wants, I may excite your Majesty to examine 

 the treasures of your royal heart, and thence to extract, what- 

 ever to your magnanimity and wisdom may seem best fitted to 

 enlarge the boundaries of knowledge. 



On the threshold of the first part it is advisable to sift the 

 merits of knowledge, and clear it of the disgrace brought upon 

 it by ignorance, whether disguised (i) in the zeal of divines, 

 (2) the arrogance of politicians, or (3) the errors of men of 

 letters. 



Some divines pretend, i. " That knowledge is to be received 

 with great limitation, as the aspiring to it was the original sin, 

 and the cause of the fall ; 2. That it has somewhat of the serpent, 

 and puffeth up ; " 3. That Solomon says, " Of making books 

 there is no end : much study is weariness of the flesh ; for in much 

 wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge, in- 

 creaseth sorrow : "f 4. " That St. Paul cautions against being 

 spoiled through vain philosophy : "g 5. "That experience shows 

 learned men have been heretics ; and learned times inclined to 

 atheism ; and that the contemplation of second causes takes 

 from our dependence upon God, who is the first." 



To this we answer, I. It was not the pure knowledge of nature, 

 by the light whereof man gave names to all the creatures in 

 Paradise, agreeable to their natures, that occasioned the fall ; 

 but the proud knowledge of good and evil, with an intent in 

 man to give law to himself, and depend no more upon God. 

 2. Nor can any quantity of natural knowledge puff up the mind ; 



