Francis Bacon and his secret society - Grand Lodge of Colorado

"
AND HIS SECRET SOCIETY. 29
thought that it was merely some light notion that had glanced
through my mind; or that I am like an augur measuring countries
in thought, without knowing the way to enter them."
He then gives three examples (to which we will hy and hy
return), " one taken from things natural, one from things
political, and one from things moral.
From this notable passage we learn, (1) that Bacon regarded
parabolic poetry as a means of communication between Divinity
and Humanity, consequently as of greater importance than any
other; (2) of double use, for infoldment and illustration; (3) that
the use of parables was sanctioned by religion and Divinity itself;
(4) that it was largely employed in the philosophy of the ancients,
and that, although this was a matter of doubt with others, there
was no doubt in the mind of Bacon that the philosophical interpretation
of the ancient myths was deficient, left to boys and
incapable persons; and that (5) according to his custom, he was
prepared to set forth instructions for the purpose of meeting this
deficiency.
The examples given in the Advancement of Learning are but
solitary instances.
In the Wisdom of the Ancients (now too little
read), thirty-one essays disclose to us the matured opinions
of Bacon on this subject. The preface to that delightful book
repeats at greater length, and in more poetic language, the sentiments
expressed in the Advancement of Learning, that " parables
serve as well to instruct and illustrate as to wrap up and
necessary in the sciences, as it
envelope, and every man of learning must readily allow that this
method is grave, sober, or exceedingly useful, and sometimes
opens an easy and familiar passage
to the human understanding in all discoveries that are
abstruse and out ot the road of vulgar opinions. Hence, in the
first ages, when such inventions and conclusions of the human
reason as are now trite and common were new and little
known, all things 1 abounded with fables, parables, similes, comparisons,
and illustrations, which are
not intended to conceal,
but to inform and teach, whilst the minds of men continued rude
1 "For there's figures in all things." (Henry V. iv. 7.)