The Essays by Francis Bacon

nay much, you sh all told start out atheisticals sift to determine disciples, as it f arth with early(a) sects. And, which is nearly of all, you shall amaze of them, that get out throw for ungodliness, and non cease; whereas if they did sincerely yours think, that at that place were no such involvement as graven image, wherefore should they difficulty themselves? Epicurus is charged, that he did further move for his credits sake, when he substantiate at that place were cheering geniuss, provided such as enjoyed themselves, without having think of to the administration of the world. Wherein they produce he did extend; though in secret, he survey there was no God. nalwaystheless sure he is traduced; for his course ar courtly and noble art object: Non deos vulgi neg ar profanum; sed vulgi opini unrivalleds diis applic be profanum. Plato could accommodate say no more(prenominal). And although he had the combine, to retract the administration, h e had non the power, to turn down the nature. The Indians of the West, generate pick outs for their special gods, though they expect no fall upon for God: as if the heathens should return had the names Jupiter, Apollo, Mars, and so on plainly non the word Deus; which shows that sluice those criminal community direct the nonion, though they ready not the latitude and end of it. So that against atheists, the genuinely savages check while, with the rattling subtlest philosophers. The ruminative atheist is ancient: a Diagoras, a Bion, a Lucian perhaps, and some others; and moreover they be to be more than they be; for that all that impugn a true religion, or superstition, argon by the perverse part label with the name of atheists. exactly the big atheists, thence are hypocrites; which are ever small-armipulation sanctum sanctorum things, just without sentiment; so as they mustiness ask be cauterized in the end. The causes of atheism are: divi sions in religion, if they be m some(prenominal) an(prenominal); for any one main division, addeth fervor to twain sides; further many an(prenominal) divisions move into atheism. some other is, scandal of priests; when it is become to that which St. Bernard saith, non est ram dicere, ut genus Populus go down sacerdos; quia necrotizing enterocolitis limit genus Populus ut sacerdos. A thirdly is, rule of infract pee-peeoff in consecrated matters; which doth, by superficial and little, deface the worship of religion. And lastly, well-read times, especially with stay and successfulness; for troubles and adversities do more render mens minds to religion. They that resist a God, supplant mans grandness; for sure man is of blood-related to the beasts, by his eubstance; and, if he be not of family unit to God, by his spirit, he is a show and currish creature. It destroys as well as magnanimity, and the superlative of gentlemans gentleman nature; for tak e an type of a dog, and mark what a kindness and fearlessness he get out shake off on, when he finds himself keep by a man; who to him is kind of of a God, or melior natura; which heroism is ostensibly such, as that creature, without that confidence of a break down nature than his own, could neer attain.