i6o ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [Cool: 



philosophy, the inquisition of causes, and the production of effects : 

 speculative and operative ; natural science, and natural prudence. 



For as in civil matters there is a wisdom of discourse, and a wisdom 

 of direction ; so is it in natural. And here I will make a request, that 

 for the latter, or at least for a part thereof, I may revive and reintegrate 

 the misapplied and abused name of natural magic, which, in the trua 

 sense, is but natural wisdom, or natural prudence ; taken according to 

 the ancient acception, purged from vanity and superstition. _ 



Now although it be true, and I know it well, that there is an inter 

 course between causes and effects, so as both these knowledges, 

 speculative and operative, have a great connexion between themselves ; 

 yet because all true and fruitful natural philosophy hath a double scale 

 or ladder, ascendent and descendcnt ; ascending from expcrhricnts, to 

 the invention of causes ; and descending from causes, to the invention 

 of new experiments ; therefore I judge it most requisite that these two 

 parts be severally considered and handled. 



Natural science, or theory, is divided into Physic and Mctaphysic ; 

 wherein I desire it may be conceived, that I use the word Metaphysic 

 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 deliver myself from mistaking, by the order and 

 perspicuous expressing of that I do propound ; I am otherwise zealous 

 and affectionate to recede as little from antiquity, either in terms or 

 opinions, as may stand with truth, and the profkience 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 certainly there cometh to pass, and hath place in human truth, 

 that which was noted and pronounced in the highest truth, &quot; Vcni in 

 nomine Patris, nee rccipitis me ; si quis venerit in nomine suo. cum 

 recipietis.&quot; 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 paternity, is no good sign of truth, although it be joined with the 

 fortune and success of an &quot; Eum recipietis.&quot; 



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 to conquer alJ 

 nations : wherein nevertheless, it may be, he may at some men s hands, 

 that are of a bitter disposition, get a like title as his scholar did. 



Felix terrarum praedo, non utile mundo 

 Editus exemplum, etc. 

 So 



Felix doctrinae prasdo. 



