THE SECOND BOOK 99 



effects, so as both these knowledges, speculative and 

 operative, have a great connexion between themselves 

 yet because all true and fruitful natural philosophy 

 hath a double scale or ladder, ascendent and descendent, 

 ascending from experiments to the invention of causes, 

 and descending from causes to the invention of new 

 experiments ; therefore I judge it most requisite that 

 these two parts be severally considered and handled. 

 2. Natural science or theory is divided into physic 

 and metaphysic : wherein I desire it may be conceived 

 that I use the word metaphysic in a differing sense 

 rom that that is received. And in like manner, 

 I doubt not but it will easily appear to men of judge 

 ment, that in this and other particulars, wheresoever 

 my conception and notion may differ from the ancient, 

 yet I am studious to keep the ancient terms. For 

 hoping well to deliver myself from mistaking, by the 

 order and perspicuous expressing of that I do pro 

 pound ; I am otherwise zealous and affectionate to 

 recede as little from antiquity, either in terms or opinions, 

 as may stand with truth and the proficience of know 

 ledge. And herein I cannot a little marvel at the 

 philosopher Aristotle, that did proceed in such a spirit 

 of difference and contradiction towards all antiquity : 

 undertaking not only to frame new words of science at 

 pleasure, but to confound and extinguish all ancient 

 wisdom : insomuch as he never nameth or mentioneth 

 an ancient author or opinion, but to confute and re 

 prove ; wherein for glory, and drawing followers and 

 disciples, he took the right course. For certainly there 

 cometh to pass, and hath place in human truth, that 

 which was noted and pronounced in the highest truth : 

 Veni in nomine patris, nee recipitis me ; si quis 

 renerit in nomine suo eum recipietis. But in this 

 divine aphorism (considering to whom it was applied, 

 aamely to antichrist, the highest deceiver) we may 

 iiscern well that the coming in a man s own name, 

 srithout regard of antiquity or paternity, is no good 

 01 r sign of truth, although it be joined with the fortune 

 D o md success of an eum recipietis. But for this excellent 



