The Advancement of Learning (full title: Of the Proficience and Advancement of Learning, Divine and Human) is a 1605 book by Francis Bacon.
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On page ii of On the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin quoted Bacon's The Advancement of Learning on the theology of natural laws:[1]
To conclude, therefore, let no man out of a weak conceit of sobriety, or an ill-applied moderation, think or maintain, that a man can search too far or be too well studied in the book of God's word, or in the book of God's works; divinity or philosophy; but rather let men endeavour an endless progress or proficience in both.[1]
Darwin's aim was to set a context relating theology to nature, harmonising science and religion in accordance with Isaac Newton's belief in a rational God who established a law-abiding cosmos. The quote associated Darwin's work with Bacon’s aim of a continuing investigation both of the Bible and of nature.[2]