OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



as lieth in my pen, to ground a sociable intercourse 

 between antiquity and proficience, it seemeth best to keep 

 way with antiquity usque ad aras, and therefore to retain 

 the ancient terms, though I sometimes alter the uses and 

 definitions ; according to the moderate proceeding in civil 

 government, where although there be some alteration, yet 

 that holdeth which Tacitus wisely noteth, eadem magis- 

 tratuum vocabula. 



To return therefore to the use and acception of the 

 term Metaphysic, as I do now understand the word : It 

 appeareth by that which hath been already said, that I 

 intend Philosophia Prima, Summary Philosophy, and 

 Metaphysic, which heretofore have been confounded as 

 one, to be two distinct things. For the one I have made 

 as a parent or common ancestor to all knowledge, and the 

 other I have now brought in as a branch or descendent 

 of Natural Science. It appeareth likewise that I have 

 assigned to Summary Philosophy the common principles 

 and axioms which are promiscuous and indifferent to 

 several sciences. I have assigned unto it likewise the 

 inquiry touching the operation of the relative and adven- 

 tive characters of essences, as Quantity, Similitude, Diversity, 

 Possibility, and the rest; with this distinction and pro- 

 vision ; that they be handled as they have efficacy in 

 nature, and not logically. It appeareth likewise that 

 Natural Theology, which heretofore hath been handled 

 confusedly with Metaphysic, I have inclosed and bounded 

 by itself. It is therefore now a question, what is left 

 remaining for Metaphysic ; wherein I may without preju- 

 dice preserve thus much of the conceit of antiquity, that 

 Physic should contemplate that which is inherent in matter 

 and therefore transitory, and Metaphysic that which is 

 abstracted and fixed. And again that Physic should 

 handle that which supposeth in nature only a being and 

 moving, and Metaphysic should handle that which sup- 

 poseth further in nature a reason, understanding, and 

 platform. But the difference, perspicuously expressed, is 

 most familiar and sensible. For as we divided Natural 

 Philosophy in general into the Inquiry of Causes and 



