eriments upon
natural phenomena, is simply ascertaining those laws, putting aside the
question of that Omnipotence. If the theologian, in tracing the ways of
Providence, were stopped with objections grounded on the impossibility of
physical miracles, he would justly protest against the interruption; and
were the philosopher, who was determining the motion of the heavenly
bodies, to be questioned about their Final or their First Cause, he too
would suffer an illogical interruption. The latter asks the cause of
volcanoes, and is impatient at being told it is "the divine vengeance;"
the former asks the cause of the overthrow of the guilty cities, and is
preposterously referred to the volcanic action still visible in their
neighbourhood. The inquiry into final causes for the moment passes over
the existence of established laws; the inquiry into physical, passes over
for the moment the existence of God. In other words, physical science is
in a certain sense atheistic, for the very reason it is not theology.

This is Lord Bacon's justification, and an intelligible one, for
considering that the fall of atheistic philosophy in ancient times was a
blight upon the hopes of physical science. "Aristotle," he says, "Galen,
and others frequently introduce such causes as these:--the hairs of the
eyelids are for a fence to the sight; the bones for pillars whence to
build the bodies of animals; the leaves of trees are to defend the fruit
from the sun and wind; the clouds are designed for watering the earth. All
which are properly alleged in metaphysics; but in physics, are
impertinent, and as _remoras_ to the ship, that hinder the sciences from
holding on their course of improvement, and as introducing a neglect of
searching after physical causes."(27) Here then is one reason for the
prejudice of physical philosophers against Theology:--on the one hand,
their deep satisfaction in the laws of nature indisposes them towards the
thought of a Moral Governor, and makes them sceptical of His
interposition; on the other hand, the occasional interference of religious
criticism in a province not religious, has made them sore, suspicious, and
resentful.

4.

Another reason of a kindred nature is to be found in the difference of
method by which truths are gained in theology and in physical science.
Induction is the instrument of Physics, and deduction only is the
instrument of Theology. There the simple question is, What is revealed?
all