==) 2 iy ee pathy 
114 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [VII. 3. 
natural theology, which heretofore hath been handled 
confusedly with metaphysic, I have inclosed and bounded 
by itself. It is therefore now a question what is left 
remaining for metaphysic; wherein I may without pre- 
judice preserve thus much of the conceit of antiquity, 
that physic should contemplate that which is inherent in 
matter, and therefore transitory ;’ and metaphysic that 
which is abstracted and fixed. And again, that physic 
should handle that which supposeth in nature only a 
being and moving; and metaphysic should handle that 
which supposeth further in nature a reason, understand- 
ing, and platform. But the difference, perspicuously ex- 
pressed, is most familiar and sensible. For as we divided 
natural philosophy in general into the inquiry of causes, 
and productions of effects: so that part which concerneth 
the inquiry of causes we do subdivide according to the 
received and sound division of causes. The one part, 
which is physic, inquireth and handleth the material and 
efficient causes; and the other, which is metaphysic, 
handleth the formal and final causes. 
4. Physic (taking it according to the derivation, and 
not according to our idiom for medicine) is situate in a 
middle term or distance between natural history and 
metaphysic. For natural history describeth the variety 
of things; physic the causes, but variable or respective 
causes; and metaphysic the fixed and constant causes. 
Limus ut hic durescit, et hac ut cera liquescit, 
Uno eodemque igni, 
. Fire is the cause of induration, but respective to clay ; 
fire is the cause of colliquation, but respective to wax. 
But fire is no constant cause either of induration or colli- 
quation: so then the physical causes are but the efficient 
and the matter. Physic hath three parts, whereof two 
ie 
= 
-, 
NE 
——- 
ee 
~~ 
