PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES. 187

he says, “ inclined to believe that the intention of thesacred Scriptures is to give to mankind the informationnecessary for their salvation ; and which, surpassing allhuman knowledge, can by no other means be accreditedthan by the mouth of the Holy Spirit. But 1 do nothold it necessary to believe that the same God who hasendowed us with senses, with speech, and intellect, in-tended that we should neglect the use of these, andseek by other means for knowledge which they are suffi-cient to procure us. In the discussion of

natural problems, we ought not to begin at the authorityof texts of Scripture, hut at sensible experiments andnecessary demonstrations; for, from the divine word, thesacred Scripture and nature did both alike proceed; andI conceive that, concerning natural effects, that whicheither sensible experience sets before our eyes, or neces-sary demonstrations do prove unto us, ought not uponany account to be called into question, much less con-demned, upon the testimony of scriptural texts, whichmay under their words couch senses seemingly contrarythereto.”

In a word, the object of Revelation is of a kind en-tirely distinct from the inculcation of science ; and theincidental parts of any book must, in all common reasonand fairness, be regarded in a totally different light fromits essential points.

But it will be said, no one now doubts the truth ofthe solar system; nor is any one led to reject Revela-tion on the ground of its being at variance with it.

Yet the fact is, the very same difficulties and objec-tions are still alleged by many at the present day; notindeed with regard to the solar system, which they(very inconsistently) admit, but in reference to thediscoveries in other parts of science, and especiallyin geology. We have, at the present day, zealots ani-mated by as bitter a spirit of persecution, thoughhappily without the power of exercising it, as those ofthe Roman tribunal. We have also, “ mutato nomi-ne,” our Tycho and Foscarinus; but we shall profit

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