Selection 5

How Friar Bacon burnt his books of magic and gave himself to the study of divinity only, and how he turned anchorite.

In the time that Friar Bacon kept his chamber he fell into diverse meditations, sometimes into the vanity of arts and sciences; then would he condemn himself for studying of those things that were so contrary to his order and soulʼs health, and would say that magic made a man a devil. Sometimes would he meditate on divinity, then would he cry out upon himself for neglecting the study of it and for studying magic. Sometime would he meditate on the shortness of manʼs life, then would be condemn himself for spending a time so short so ill as he had done his. So would he go from one thing to another and in all condemn his former studies.

And that the world should know how truly he did repent his wicked life he caused to be made a great fire, and sending for many of his friends, scholars, and others, he spoke to them after this manner: my good friends and fellow students, it is not unknown unto you how that, through my art, I have attained to that credit that few men living ever had. Of the wonders that I have done all England can speak, both king and commons. I have unlocked the secret of art and nature and let the world see those things that have lain hid since the death of Hermes, that rare and profound philosopher. My studies have found the secrets of the stars. The books that I have made of them do serve for precedents to our greatest doctors, so excellent hath my judgment been therein. I likewise have found out the secrets of trees, plants, and stones, with their several uses. Yet all this knowledge of mine I esteem so lightly that I wish that I were ignorant and knew nothing. For the knowledge of these things (as I have truly found) serveth not to better a man in goodness but only to make him proud and think too well of himself. What hath all my knowledge of natureʼs secrets gained me? Only this: the loss of a better knowledge, the loss of divine studies which makes the immortal part of man (his soul) blessed. I have found that my knowledge has been a heavy burden and has kept down my good thoughts, but I will remove the cause, which are these books, which I do purpose here before you all to burn. They all entreated him to spare the books because in them there were those things that after-ages might receive great benefit by. He would not hearken unto them but threw them all into the fire, and in that flame burnt the greatest learning in the world. Then did he dispose of all his goods. Some part he gave to poor scholars, and some he gave to other poor folks. Nothing left he for himself. Then caused he to be made in the church wall a cell where he locked himself in and there remained till his death. His time he spent in prayer, meditation, and such divine exercises, and did seek by all means to persuade men from the study of magic. Thus lived he some two years space in that cell, never coming forth. His meat and drink he received in at a window, and at that window he did discourse with those that came to him. His grave he digged with his own nails and was laid there when he died. Thus was the life and death of this famous friar, who lived most part of his life a magician and died a true penitent sinner and an anchorite.

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