8o The Advancement of Learning 



plant also an expectation of the further proficience and 

 augmentation of all sciences ; because it may seem they are 

 ordained by God to be coevals, that is, to meet in one age. 

 For so the prophet Daniel, speaking of the latter times, 

 foretelleth Plurimi pertransibunt, et multiplex erit scientia : ^ 

 as if the openness and thorough passage of the world and 

 the increase of knowledge were appointed to be in the same 

 ages; as we see it is already performed in great part; the 

 learning of these latter times not much giving place to the 

 former two periods or returns of learning, the one of the 

 Grecians, the other of the Romans. 

 III. I. History ecclesiastical receiveth the same divisions with 

 history civil : but further, in the propriety thereof, may be 

 divided into the history of the church, by a general name ; 

 history of prophecy ; and history of providence. The first 

 describeth the times of the mihtant church, whether it be 

 fluctuant, as the ark of Noah; or moveable, as the ark in 

 the wilderness; or at rest, as the ark in the temple: that is, 

 the state of the church in persecution, in remove, and in 

 peace. This part I ought in no sort to note as deficient; 

 only I would that the virtue and sincerity of it were accord- 

 ing to the mass and quantity. But I am not now in hand 

 with censures, but with omissions. 



2. The second, which is history of prophecy, consisteth of 

 two relatives, the prophecy, and the accomplishment ; and 

 therefore the nature of such a work ought to be, that every 

 prophecy of the Scripture be sorted with the event fulfilling 

 the same, throughout the ages of the world ; both for better 

 confirmation of faith, and for the better illumination of the 

 Church touching those parts of prophecies which are yet 

 unfulfilled: allowing nevertheless that latitude which is 

 agreeable and famihar unto divine prophecies; being of the 

 nature of their Author, with whom a thousand years are but 

 as one day ; ^ and therefore are not fulfilled punctually at 

 once, but have springing and germinant accomplishment 

 throughout many ages; though the height or fulness of 

 them may refer to some one age. This is a work which I 

 find deficient ; but is to be done with wisdom, sobriety, and 

 reverence, or not at all. 



3. The third, which is history of providence, containeth that 

 excellent correspondence which is between God's revealed 



» Dan. xii. 4. "2 Peter iii. 8. 



