150 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



For this part of knowledge of method seemeth to me so 

 weakly inquired as I shall report it deficient. 



2. Method hath been placed and that not amiss, in 

 logic, as a part of judgement. For as the doctrine of 

 syllogisms comprehendeth the rules of judgement upon 

 that which is invented, so the doctrine of method con- 

 taineth the rules of judgement upon that which is to be 

 delivered ; for judgement precedeth delivery, as it 

 folio we th invention. Neither is the method or the 

 nature of the tradition material only to the use of know 

 ledge, but likewise to the progression of knowledge : for 

 since the labour and life of one man cannot attain to 

 perfection of knowledge, the wisdom of the tradition is 

 that which inspireth the felicity of continuance and 

 proceeding. And therefore the most real diversity of 

 method is of method referred to use, and method re 

 ferred to progression : whereof the one may be termed 

 magistral, and the other of probation. 



3. The latter whereof seemeth to be via deserta et 

 inter dusa. For as knowledges are now delivered, there 

 is a kind of contract of error between the deliverer and 

 the receiver. For he that delivereth knowledge, desireth 

 to deliver it in such form as may be best believed, and 

 not as may be best examined ; and he that receiveth 

 knowledge, desireth rather present satisfaction, than 

 expectant inquiry ; and so rather not to doubt, than 

 not to err : glory making the author not to lay open his 

 weakness, and sloth making the disciple not to know 

 his strength. 



4. But knowledge that is delivered as a thread to be 

 spun on, ought to be delivered and intimated, if it were 

 possible, in the same method wherein it was invented: 

 and so is it possible of knowledge induced. But in 

 this same anticipated and prevented knowledge, no 

 man knoweth how he came to the knowledge which he 

 hath obtained. But yet nevertheless, secundum majus 

 et minus, a man may revisit and descend unto the foun 

 dations of his knowledge and consent ; and so trans 

 plant it into another, as it grew in his own mind. For 

 it is in knowledges as it is in plants : if you mean to use 



