228 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



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 

 and at large, there have been divers kinds introduced 

 and devised ; some of them rather curious and unsafe 

 than sober and warranted. Notwithstanding, thus much 

 must be confessed, that the scriptures, being given by 

 inspiration and not by human reason, do differ from all 

 other books in the author : which by consequence doth 

 draw on some difference to be used by the expositor. 

 For the inditer of them did know four things which no 

 man attains to know ; which are, the mysteries of the 

 kingdom of glory, the perfection of the laws of nature, 

 the secrets of the heart of man, and the future succession 

 of all ages. For as to the first it is said, ' He that pres- 

 seth into the light, shall be oppressed of the glory.' And 

 again, ' No man shall see my face and live.' To the 

 second, ' When he prepared the heavens I was present, 

 when by law and compass he inclosed the deep.' To the 

 third, ' Neither was it needful that any should bear wit- 

 ness to him of man, for he knew well what was in man.' 

 And to the last, ' From the beginning are known to the 

 Lord all his works.' 



15. From the former two of these have been drawn 

 certain senses and expositions of scriptures, which had 

 need be contained within the bounds of sobriety ; the 

 one anagogical, and the other philosophical. But as to 

 the former, man is not to prevent his time : ' Videmus 

 nunc per speculum in aenigmate, tunc autem facie ad 

 faciem ' : wherein nevertheless there seemeth to be a 

 liberty granted, as far forth as the polishing of this glass, 

 or some moderate explication of this aenigma. But to 

 press too far into it, cannot but cause a dissolution and 

 overthrow of the spirit of man. For in the body there 

 are three degrees of that we receive into it, aliment, 

 medicine, and poison : whereof aliment is that which 



