120 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [VII. 7. 



studies respectively of both those persons. Not because 

 those final causes are not true, and worthy to be inquired, 

 being kept within their own province; but because their 

 excursions into the limits of physical causes hath bred a 

 vastness and solitude in that tract. For otherwise, keep 

 ing their precincts and borders, men are extremely de 

 ceived if they think there is an enmity or repugnancy at 

 all between them. For the cause rendered, that the hairs 

 about the eye-lids are for the safeguard of the sight, doth 

 not impugn the cause rendered, that pilosity is incident to 

 orifices of moisture ; muscosi fontes, &c. Nor the cause 

 rendered, that the firmness of hides is for the armour of the 

 body against extremities of heat or cold, doth not impugn 

 the cause rendered, that contraction of pores is incident to 

 the outwardest parts, in regard of their adjacence to foreign 

 or unlike bodies : and so of the rest : both causes being 

 true and compatible, the one declaring an intention, the 

 other a consequence only. Neither doth this call in ques 

 tion, or derogate from divine providence, but highly con 

 firm and exalt it. For as in civil actions he is the greater 

 and deeper politique, that can make other men the instru 

 ments of his will and ends, and yet never acquaint them 

 with his purpose, so as they shall do it and yet not know 

 what they do, than he that imparteth his meaning to those 

 he employeth ; so is the wisdom of God more admirable, 

 when nature intendeth one thing, and providence draweth 

 forth another, than if he had communicated to particular 

 creatures and motions the characters and impressions of 

 his providence. And thus much for metaphysic: the 

 latter part whereof I allow as extant, but wish it confined 

 to his proper place. 



VIII. i. Nevertheless there remaineth yet another 

 part of natural philosophy, which is commonly made a 



