THE SECOND BOOK 253 



palace of the mind, which we are to approach and view 

 with more reverence and attention. 



The knowledge of man is as the waters, some descending 

 from above, and some springing from beneath ; the one 

 informed by the light of nature, the other inspired by divine 

 revelation. The light of nature consisteth in the notions of 

 the mind and the reports of the senses ; for as for know- 

 ledge which man receiveth by teaching, it is cumulative 

 and not original ; as in a water that besides his own spring- 

 head is fed with other springs and streams. So then according 

 to these two differing illuminations or originals, knowledge 

 is first of all divided into Divinity and Philosophy. 



In Philosophy, the contemplations of man do either 

 penetrate unto God, or are circumferred to Nature, or are 

 reflected or reverted upon himself. Out of which several 

 inquiries there do arise three knowledges, Divine philo- 

 sophy, Natural philosophy, and Human philosophy or 

 Humanity. For all things are marked and stamped with 

 this triple character, of the power of God, the difference of 

 nature, and the use of man. But because the distributions 

 and partitions of knowledge are not like several lines that 

 meet in one angle, and so touch but in a point ; but are 

 like branches of a tree that meet in a stem, which hath a 

 dimension and quantity of entireness and continuance, 

 before it come to discontinue and break itself into arms 

 and boughs ; therefore it is good, before we enter into 

 the former distribution, to erect and constitute one univer- 

 sal science, by the name of Philosophia Prima, Primitive or 

 Summary Philosophy, as the main and common way, 

 before we come where the ways part and divide them- 

 selves ; which science whether I should report as deficient 

 or no, I stand doubtful. For I find a certain rhapsody of 

 Natural Theology, and of divers parts of Logic ; and of 

 that part of Natural Philosophy which concerneth the 

 Principles, and of that other part of Natural Philosophy 

 which concerneth the Soul or Spirit ; all these strangely 

 commixed and confused ; but being examined, it seemeth 

 to me rather a depredation of other sciences, advanced and 



