Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey him. There are two methods by which conclusions are reached — the method of argument and that of experience. These have their representatives in Aristotle and Bacon. By the first we are led by reason; by the second fact. Which is the better method? A farmer ploughing his field turns to the light a bit of yellow substance. He examines it. It seems to be gold. He reasons; gold has been found in the neighbourhood; the geological conditions are all favourable, and it, has the appearance and gravity of gold. This is the first method. But suppose he takes that substance to the metallurgist, and an acid is applied that will take hold of nothing else but gold. He now knows through experience that it is gold. Take the case of character: you wish to know if a man is honest. You say he looks honest, has honest associates, comes of an honest stock. Now that is all argument. But suppose his partner says, "I know he is honest; he has been with me for twenty years." That is the method of Bacon — experience. Is it not the most conclusive? (C. D. Foss, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. |
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