THE CONFLICT OF OLD AND NEW IDEAS 55 



considerable classical learning, for he could discuss with intelli- 

 gence various possible renderings of Greek and Hebrew passages in 

 the Old Testament. His scientific knowledge was just sufficient 

 to make him rush in where Milton feared to tread. From Des- 

 cartes he got the notion of the "liquid heavens where the planets 

 were carried about the sun with the same common stream 'V^^ 

 of ' ' the true Principles that govern Nature, which are Geometrical 

 and Mechanical' V*' of the various spheres of homogeneous mat- 

 ter,^^^ of matter and motion,"* and of "plain and perspicuous 

 style "."^ He did not try to conceal his borrowings; "an eminent 

 Philosopher of this Age, Monsieur Des Cartes, hath made use of 

 the like Hypothesis".^-*' He had followed the most recent astron- 

 omical observations;"^ he knew the latest miscroscopical investi- 

 gations upon the circulation of the blood ;"^ he was acquainted 

 with the recent experiments with steam, and professed to have a 

 theory of his own regarding it;"^ he had attained to the new con- 

 ception of the infinite dimensions of the universe and the compara- 

 tive littleness of man; he knew the latest geological observations 

 on the strata of rocks. ^•''*' He had cast aside the old belief respect- 

 ing the stars, — "It is full Time now to sweep away these cobwebs 

 of Superstitions, these Relics of Paganism. I do not see how we 

 are any more concerned in the Postures of the Planets than in 

 the Postures of the Clouds"."^ 



The critics of the Sacred Theory doubted whether Burnet him- 

 self really believed his own hypothesis. In answer to this allega- 

 tion the Bishop firmly asserted his unswerving allegiance to the 

 cause. "I must profess my Assent to the Substance of that 

 Theory ; and am the more confirmed in it by the "Weakness and In- 



"^ Sacred Theory, vol. II, p. 242. 

 ^^ Sacred Theory, vol. II, p. 37. 

 ^'^ Sacred Theory, vol. I, p. 403. 

 "«Ibid. vol. I, p. 68. 

 "= Ibid. vol. I, p. 368. 

 i^ilbid. vol. II, Pref. 

 i^Ibid. vol. I, p. 140. 

 ««Ibid. vol. II, p. 106. 

 i^eibid. vol. I, p. 401. 

 ISO Ibid. vol. I, p. 125. 

 "I Ibid. vol. II, p. 88. 



