Lib. L Of the Advancement of Learning, 25 



they profefs ^ contrariwile , they convert their labours to afpire to 

 certain fecond prizes, as to be a profonnd interpreter, or commentator 5 

 a (harp and ftrong champion or Defender 5 a Methodical compounder 

 or Abridger : fo the Revenues and Tributes of Sciences come to be im- 

 proved, but not the Patrimony and Inheritance. 



!j^XL But the greateft error of all the reft is, the mijiaking or mfplacing 

 the lajiandfarthejl end of knowledge : For many have entred into a dc- 

 fireof Learning and Knowledge, Ibmeuponan inbred and reftleG Cw 

 riofity 5 others to entertain their minds with variety and delight •-, others 

 for ornament and reputation ; others for contradiction and vidiory m 

 difpute^ others for Lucre and living ■-, few to improve the gift of rea- 

 fon given them from God, to the benefit arid ufe of men. As if there 

 were fought in knowledge, a couch, whereupon to reft a reftlels and 

 fearching (pirit, or a Tarraft for a wandring and variable mind to walk 

 Up and down in at liberty unreftrained 5 or fome high and eminent 

 Tower of State, from which a proud and ambitious mind, may have a 

 Prolpeftj or a Ft^rt and commanding ground for ftrife and contenti- 

 on 7 or afiopfor profit andfale; and not rather a rich Jiore-houfe and 

 Armory for the glory of the Creator of all things, and the relief of man^' 

 eftate. For this is that which indeed would dignifie and exalt Learn- 

 ing •■) if contemplation and aftion were iiior^ nearly and ftraitly, than 

 hitherto they have been conjoyn'd and united together : which combi- 

 nation, certainly would be like unto that conjunction of the two high- 

 eft Planets, when Saturn which hath the Dorpinion over reft and con- 

 templations, conlpires with Jupiter the. Lord of Civil fociety and Afti- 

 on. Howbeit I do not mean when Upeak of Ufe and A(^ion, PirofeP 

 fory or Lucretive Learning, for I am not ignorant how much that di- 

 verts and interrupteth the ProgreJJion and advancement of knowledge 5 

 like indeed the Golden apple, thrown before Atalanta, which while (he 

 goes afide and ftoopeth to take up, the race is hindred; 



DecUnat curfus aurumf) volnbrle toUit. q^jj; 



Neither is it my meaning, as was fpoken of Socratet, to call Philolb- 

 phy down from heaven, to converle upon the earth j that is to lay Ar<«- 

 turd Phylofophy afide, and to celebrate only Adoral Philofophy and Po- 

 licy. But as Heaven and Earth do confpire and contribute, to the u(e 

 and benefit of the life of Man 5 fb indeed this (hould be the end of both 

 Thilofophies 5 that vain (peculations, and what ever is empty and bar- 

 ren, being rejefted ; that which is folid and fruitful may be prelerved 

 and augmented , that (b Knowledge may not be a Courtezan for 

 Pleafure, or as a bond-womaa for gain, but as a Ipoufe for generation^ 

 fruit and honeft folace. 



§ Now me thinks I have delcribed and opened, as by a kind of di(^ 

 (edtion, thofe Peccant Humours ^ or at leaft, the Principal of them, tphich 

 have not only given impediment to the Profcience of Learning, hut have 

 given alfo occafion to the traducement thereof. Wherein if I have Come 

 too near the quick, it muft beremembred , Fidelia vulnera amantis do Pfal.i4«; 

 lofa ofculamalignantis ; however this furely I think I have gained, that I 

 ought to be the better believed, concering the Commendatiom of Learn- 

 ingia that which follows^becaufe I have proceeded (b freely concerning 



D ccnfure 



