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From Rise of Protestantism in France to Publication of the Institutes - James Aitken Wylie

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classifies <strong>the</strong>se as <strong>to</strong> exhibit that whole scheme <strong>of</strong><br />

doctr<strong>in</strong>e that is conta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bible. Not<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rwise than by <strong>in</strong>duction can we arrive at a true<br />

science: not o<strong>the</strong>rwise than by <strong>in</strong>duction can we<br />

come <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> possession <strong>of</strong> a true <strong>the</strong>ology. The<br />

botanist, <strong>in</strong>stead <strong>of</strong> shutt<strong>in</strong>g himself up <strong>in</strong> his<br />

closet, goes forth <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> field and collects <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong><br />

classes <strong>the</strong> flora spread pr<strong>of</strong>usely, and without<br />

apparent order, over pla<strong>in</strong> and mounta<strong>in</strong>, group<strong>in</strong>g<br />

plant with plant, each accord<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> its k<strong>in</strong>d, till not<br />

one is left, and <strong>the</strong>n his science <strong>of</strong> botany is<br />

perfected.<br />

The astronomer, <strong>in</strong>stead <strong>of</strong> descend<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong><br />

some dark cave, turns his telescope <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> heavens,<br />

watches <strong>the</strong> motions <strong>of</strong> its orbs, and by means <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> bodies that are seen, he deduces <strong>the</strong> laws and<br />

forces that are unseen, and thus order spr<strong>in</strong>gs up<br />

before his eye, and <strong>the</strong> system <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> universe<br />

unveils itself <strong>to</strong> him. What <strong>the</strong> flora <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> field are<br />

<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> botanist, what <strong>the</strong> stars <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firmament are<br />

<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> astronomer, <strong>the</strong> truths scattered over <strong>the</strong><br />

pages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bible are <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ologian. The<br />

Master Himself has given us <strong>the</strong> h<strong>in</strong>t that it is <strong>the</strong><br />

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