Religion in the lives of Newton and Bacon

Luminaries Francis Bacon and Sir Isaac Newton share a common characteristic that separates them from other scientists of their time. They both valued a belief in God, or a higher power, despite the movement towards reason and science during the Enlightenment period. Although Francis Bacon founded his work upon reason and evidence through experimentation, he rejected atheism because of his belief that it served as a handicap to philosophy. He is quoted as saying, "It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion; for while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain of them confederate, and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and Deity." Bacon saw that society was turning away from religion because of the lack of God’s presence in philosophy of the time. He argued that the mind of an atheist would eventually lead one to insufficient understanding of individual and social truth.
Sir Isaac Newton took into account the importance of God through more of a numerical approach. His unprecedented advancements in mathematics and mechanics were achieved through his belief that all his science revolves around mathematics and numbers. Newton took this same theory and applied to the Bible. He saw numbers as imperative to understanding God's plan for history through his written word. He worked on biblical numerology and theology, stating that in his system of physics, God is essential to the nature and absoluteness of space. In Newton’s Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, also known as Principia, he writes that the magnificent arrangement of the solar system could only be the work of a “an intelligent and powerful Being.” He acknowledges that someone is responsible for the way Earth is made, someone with great vision. Newton’s relationship with God varied from Francis Bacon’s, but the acknowledgment of religion in each philosopher’s life left a lasting impact on science during the Enlightenment period.