192 THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. 



space or ground that lieth vacant and unsown in the matter of 

 divinity, so diligent have men been either in sowing of good 

 seed, or in sowing of tares. 



Thus have I made as it were a small globe of the intellectual 

 world, as truly and faithfully as I could discover ; with a note 

 and description of those parts which seem to me not constantly 

 occupate, or not well converted by the labour of man. In 

 which, if I have in any point receded from that which is com 

 monly received, it hath been with a purpose of proceeding in 

 melius, and not in aliiid ; a mind of amendment and pro 

 ficiency, and not of change and difference. For I could not 

 be true and constant to the argument I handle if I were not 

 willing to go beyond others ; but yet not more willing than to 

 have others go beyond me again : which may the better appear 

 by this, that I have propounded my opinions naked and un 

 armed, not seeking to preoccupate the liberty of men s judg 

 ments by confutations. For in anything which is well set 

 down, I am in good hope that if the first reading move an 

 objection, the second reading will make an answer. And in 

 those things wherein I have erred, I am sure I have not pre 

 judiced the right by litigious arguments ; which certainly have 

 this contrary effect and operation, that they add authority to 

 error, and destroy the authority of that which is well invented. 

 For question is an honour and preferment to falsehood, as on 

 the other side it is a repulse to truth. But the errors I claim 

 and challenge to myself as mine own. The good, if any be, is 

 due tanquam adeps sacrificii, to be incensed to the honour, 

 first of the Divine Majesty, and next of your Majesty, to whom 

 on earth I am most bounden. 



Printed by Cassell & Company, Limited, La Belle Sauvage, London, E.C. 



