The Second Book 91 



double scale or ladder, ascendent and descendent ; ascend- 

 ing from experiments to the invention of causes, and de- 

 scending 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 physique and 

 metaphysique : wherein I desire it may be conceived that I 

 use the word metaphysique in a differing sense from that 

 that is received : and in like manner, I doubt not but it will 

 easily appear to men of judgment, 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 dehver myself from 

 mistaking, by the order and perspicuous expressing of that 

 I do propound, I am otherwise zealous and affectionate to 

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

 as may stand with truth and the proficience of knowledge. 

 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 reprove; ^ wherein for glory, and drawing 

 followers and disciples, he took the right course. For cer- 

 tainly 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 venerit in 

 nomine suo eum recipietis.^ But in this divine aphorism, 

 (considering to whom it was applied, namely to Antichrist, 

 the highest deceiver,) we may discern well that the coming 

 in a man's own name, without regard of antiquity or pater- 

 nity, is no good sign of truth, although it be joined with the 

 fortune and success of an Eum recipietis. But for this 

 excellent person Aristotle, I will think of him that he 

 learned that humour of his scholar, with whom, it seemeth, 

 he did emulate, the one to conquer all opinions, as the other 



* Cf. Nov. Org. i. 63, 67, where he likens him to the Turks, whoso 

 Sultans on ascending the throne murder all the seed royal. Cf. 

 Ar. Eth. Nic. I. 6, i., where Aristotle declares that it is sometimes 

 needful for truth's sake koX rh oUeia dvaipeiv. 



* John V. 43. 



