Page:The advancement of science by experimental research - the Harveian oration, delivered at the Royal College of Physicians, June 27th, 1883 (IA b24869958).pdf/32

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

28


"Thus Harvey sought for truth in Truth's own book, Creation; which by God Himself was writ."

Harvey believed in the immediate agency and fully recognised the personal character of God and His superintending power. True science has not been advanced by the effort to set aside this great fact which runs through the whole of Divine reve- lation.

I delight to read from Willis's transla- tion of Harvey's works the following words of truth from a student of nature: —" We acknowledge God, the supreme and omnipotent Creator to be present in the production of all animals, and to point as it were with a finger to his existence in his works, the parents being in every case but as instruments in his hands. In the generation of the pullet from the egg, all things are indeed contrived and ordered with singular providence, divine wisdom and most admirable and incomprehensible skill. And to none can these attributes be referred save to the Almighty first cause of all things, by whatever name this has been designated; the divine mind by