other of a man that forgets the liberty of himselfe But on the other side if Vrbanity and outward Elegancy of Behaviour be intended too much they passe into a deformed counterfeit Affectation Quid enim deformius quam scenam in vitam transferre To Act a mans life But though they fall not by insensible degrees into that vitious extreme yet too much time is consumed in these small matters and the mind by studying them is too much depress'd and broken And therefore as Tutors and Preceptors use to advise young Students in Universities too much addicted to keep company by saying Amicos esse fures temporis so certainly this same continuall intention of the minde upon the comelinesse of Behaviour is a great theefe to more solemne Meditations Againe such as are so exactly accomplisht in Vrbanitie and seeme as it were form'd by nature for this quality alone are commonly of such a disposition as please themselves in this one habit onely and seldome aspire to higher and more solide virtues whereas on the contrary those that are conscious to themselves of a Defect this way seek Comelinesse by Reputation for where Reputation is almost every thing becommeth but where that is not it must be supplied by Puntoes Complement Againe there is no greater or more frequent impediment of Action than an overcurious observance of Decency of that other ceremony attending on it which is a too scrupulous Election of time opportunities for Solomon saith excellently Eccles 11. qui observat ventū non seminat qui considerat nubes nunquā metet We must make opportunity oftner then finde it To conclude this comely grace of Behaviour is as it were the Garment of the Minde and therefore must have the conditions of a Garment for first it ought to be such as is in fashion againe it ought not to be too curious or costly than it ought to be so shaped as to set forth any good making of the mind and to supply and hide any deformity lastly and above all it ought not to be too strait or so to restraine the spirit as to represse and hinder the motion thereof in businesse But this part of Civile knowledge touching Conversation hath bin indeed elegantly handled nor can it any way be reported as Deficient CAP. II. I. The Partition of the Doctrine of Negociation into the knowledge of dispersed Occasions II. And into the Knowledge of the Advancement of life § Examples of the knowledge of Scatter'd Occasions from some of Solomons Parables § Precepts touching the Advancement of fortune THe knowledge touching Negotiation we will divide into a knowledge concerning Scatter'd Occasions and the Knowledge concerning the Advancement of Life whereof the one comprehends all the variety of Businesse and is as it were the Secretary of a Practique course of life the other onely selects and suggests such observations as appertaine to the advancing of a Mans proper fortune which may be to every man as intimate and reserved Table-Books and Memorials of their Affaires § But before we descend to the Particular kinds wee will speak something by way of Preface in generall touching the The knowledge of Negociation The knowledge of Negociation no man hath handled hetherto according to the dignity of the Subject to the great derogation of Learning the Professors of Learning for frō this root springeth that note of Dullnesse which hath defamed the Learned which is That there is no great concurrence betweene Learning and Practique wisdome For if a man observe it well of the three wisdomes which we have set downe to pertaine to Civile life that of Conversation is by learned men for the most part despised as a servile thing and an enimie to Meditation As for that wisdome concerning Government Learned men acquit themselves well when they are called to the manage of Civile Affaires in state but that is a Promotion which happeneth to few Concerning the WISDOME OF BUSINESSE whereof we now speak wherein mans life is most conversant there be no Books at all written of it except a handfull of two of some few Civile Advertisements that have no proportion to the magnitude of this Subject For if there were Books extant of this Argument as of other I doubt not but Learned men with meane experience would farre excell men of long experience without Learning and out-shoot them as they say in their own Bowe Neither is there any cause why we should feare least the Matter of this Knowledge should be so various that it could not fall under Precepts for it is much narrower than the Science of Government which notwithstanding we see is exactly labour'd and subdued Of this kinde of Wisdome it seemes there have bin some Professors amongst the Romans in their best and wisest times Cicero For Cicero reports that it was in use a litle before his time for Senators that had the the name and opinion for wise and experienced men the Coruncanii Curii Laelii and others to walke at certaine houres in the Forum where they might give accesse and audience to the Citizens and might be consulted withall not onely touching point of Law but of al sorts of Businesse as of the Marriage of a Daughter or of the bringing up of a Sonne or of a Purchase of a Bargaine of an Accusation Defence and every other occasion incident to mans life By this it plainly appeares that there is a Wisdome of giving Counsil and Advise even in Private Businesse arising out of an universall in sight into the Affaires of the World which is used indeed upon particular Causes but is gathered by generall observation of Causes of like nature For so we see in the Book which Q. Cicero writeth unto his Brother De Petitione Consulatus being the onely Booke of Particular Businesse Q. Cicero de Petitione Consul that I know written by the Ancients althoe it concerned specially an Action then on foot yet it containes in it many Politique Axiomes which prescribe not only temporarie use but a perpetual direction in the case of Popular Elections And in this kinde nothing is extant which may any way be compar'd with those Aphorismes which Solomon the King set forth of whom the Scriptures testifie That his Heart was as the Sands of the Sea 1. Reg. IV. For as the Sands of the Sea do incompasse al the utmost bounds of the world so his wisedome comprehended all matters as well humane as divine In these Aphorismes you shall cleerely discover beside those precepts which are more divine many most excellent Civile precepts and advertisements springing out of the profound secrets of wisdome and flowing over into a large field of variety Now because we report as DEFICIENT the Doctrine touching dispersed occasions which is a first portion of the knowledge of Businesse we will after our manner stay a while upon it and propound an example thereof taken out of those Aphorismes or Parables of Solomon Neither is there in our judgement
MEDIOCRIA FIRMA MONITI MELIORA Honmê° Franciscê° Baconê° Baro de Verulam Vice-Comes S cti Albani mortuus 9º Aprilis Anno DnÌ„i 1626. Annoque Aetat 66. OF THE ADVANCEMENT AND PROFICIENCE OF LEARNING OR THE PARTITIONS OF SCIENCES NINE BOOKS Written in Latin by the Most Eminent Illustrious and Famous Lord FRANCIS BACON Baron of Verulam Vicount St. Alban Councellor of Estate and Lord Chancellor of ENGLAND Interpreted by Gilbert Watts OXFORD Printed by Leon Lichfield Printer to the University for Robert Young and Edward Forrest 1640. SACRATISSIMO DNÌ„O NOSTRO CAROLO DEI GRATIA MAG BRITANNIAE FRANCIAE ET HIBERNIAE REGI TERRAE MARISQ POTENTISSIMO PRINCIPI OCEANI BRITANNICI AD QUATUOR MUNDI PLAGAS DISPARTITI IMPERATORI DNÌ„O VIRGINIAE ET VASTORUM TERRITORIORUM ADJACENTIUM ET DISPERSARUM INSULARUM IN OCEANO OCCIDENTALI CHRISTIANAE FIDEI DEFENSORI PACIS INSTAURATORI PUB SECURITATIS AUCTORI PIO FEL AUG NEC-NON SUB SUI NUMINIS INFLUENTIA AC CLIENTELA DUOBUS MAX. MUNDI LUMINARIBUS PERPETUIS SAPIENTIAE FLAMMIS CERTISS SCIENTIARUM CYNOSURIS UTRISQ ANGLIAE ACADEMIIS INFIMVS HVMILLIMVS VERULAMII INTERPRES HANC PRIMAM INSTAURATIONIS MAGNAE PARTEM D. N. C. Q. TO THE PRINCE OF GREAT BRITAINE FRANCE AND IRELAND THE GROWING GLORY of a Future Age. THE sacrifice of my Devotions in the Dedication of these Labours excellent PRINCE had gone a more humble way of Ambition than through the hands of Kings and Princes could I afterwards have justified such humiliations But the Tenure of this work is a Title-Royall which no laps of time nor alteration of language can reverse In the Originall entitled to a King so continued in the Translation and so in a direct line descends upon Your Highnesse as a part of a Royall Patrimony which I durst not alienate by a lower inscription The Author is Sir Francis Bacon a name well known in the European world a learned man happily the learned'st that ever lived since the decay of the Grecian and Romane Empires when learning was at a high pitch and Which rise and fell with those Monarchies for Scepters and Sciences have the same revolutions the same periods In the vast spaces of time between those and these last Ages Philosophy hath bin as it were in a slumber for many centuries of years For after the Christian faith grew up the most writers betook themselves to Theology and some mistaking the right limits of Faith and Reason fell fowle upon Aristotle and other Philosophers as Patriarches of Eresy which were the Patrons of Reason Somewhat awaked from this slumber she was by the Arabian writers the Schoole-Doctors and Spanish Interpreters made more active by the Chimique Philosophers but never perfectly recovered untill the daies of this Author who is the first that ever joynd Rationall Experimentall Philosophy in a regular correspondence which before was either a subtlety of words or a confusion of matter He after he had survaied all the Records of Antiquity after the volumnes of men betook himselfe to the study of the volumne of the world and having conquerd what ever books possest his spacious spirit not thus bounded set upon the Kingdome of Nature and carried that victory very farre and which was more than those victories himselfe being mortall left such lawes behind him as may suffice to subdue the rest if Princes encourage men and men be not wanting to themselves This attempt of his was favour'd by the starres of his Nativity For it was his felicity to live in the times of two Great Patrons of Learning K. IAMES Your Highnesse Grandfather of blessed memory and Your Royall Father now Raigning and it was their glory that he lived in their times and will be the eternall honour of this Nation that the Greatest Kings and the Greatest Philosopher met togither in one age in one Iland By the favour of his Prince who well knew the valew of Learning and Learned men he was raised to the highest dignities in the Civile state and by his own happie Genius to the highest degree in the state of learning which was the greater wonder of the two being such incompatible perfections and divided enough to fill up the sphere of the greatest abilities alive Yet with great applause he acted both these high parts of the greatest Scholler and the greatest States-man of his time and so quit himselfe in both as one and the same Person in title and merit became Lord Keeper of the Great seale of England and of the Great Seale of Nature both at once which is a mystery beyond the comprehension of his own times and a miracle requires a great measure of faith in Posterity to believe it This is the Author I here present unto Your Highnesse this his worke which by the powerfull influence of Your favour shall prosper and it may be be quickned to the regeneration of another Phoenix out of his ashes to adorne your World for it is only the benigne aspect irradiation of Princes that inspires the Globe of learning and makes Arts and sciences grow up and florish Heaven blesse Your Highnesse with blessings on the right hand and on the left and make You Heire of all the virtues of your Royall Progenitors that the Honour of Princes begun in them may be continued in Your person and that a future age may be so blessed in You as the present is in Your Royall Father the Glory of Kings and their Admiration YOUR HIGHNESSE most Humbly devoted GILBERT WATS FAVOVRABLE READER THE intended Apologetique for the Instauration of Sciences and the justification of this Author which should have bin prefix'd this work as a preparation thereto is not publisht Motives to this resolution were diverse whereof some are very concerning Apologetiques for such Authors and such enterprises are intertained with jealousies as if they threatned an innovation in the state of Learning by reversing the judgements of Antiquity and the Placits of the Moderne and by bringing in a new Primum Mobile into the Jntellectuall Globe of Sciences to the subversion of the Arts received But these are groundlesse fears fancied by such who either understand not the intention of this attempt or engag'd in a Professory way suspect their profit and reputation to be in danger if such designes should take effect Our Author protests against such dareing vanities the raising of any new sect upon the ruins of Antiquity and every where endeavours to improve the labours of Ancient and Moderne writers and so must he doe who defends him if he understands the businesse he goes about The point is not touching what is already done nor of the abilities of the Agents nor of the capacity of their instruments which could not be undertakeÌ„ without emulous comparisons both of Persons Actions and Things but the point is touching propagation Advancement of Knowledges the improvement and not the conservation only of the Patrimony of our Ancestors and that by opening to the understanding a different way than hath bin known
to former Ages and clearing that glasse to the letting in of a more plentifull light The waies and ends of these two knowledges I meane of what we have and of what we may have thus different and the principles upon which they proceed so divers both may consist without contradictions and confutations or the invasions upon their distinguisht rights so the propagation of Knowledge by the assistance of the Father of Lights may be pursued with the reservation of the honour of Ancient and Moderne Authors and the Arts in use which respecting the end whereto they were instituted Disputation Redargution and the like are very conducent and in their way of perfection highly exalted And this is the first motive of deliberating the publication of my Apologetique the difficulty of the businesse Another is this The times into which we are fallen are learned Times as ever were since the Grecian Philosophers and their seconds the Arabian writers which also through the great advantages of the experiments of later Ages and the directions of Antiquity in many particulars have out-gon their predecessors so as he that dare adventure as some doe to intrude unstudied thoughts upon so learned an age as this is neither reverences the age as he ought nor wisely consults his own reputation with Posterity And as the Times are learned so which too frequently falls out somewhat confident Great wits and which have fortified their conceptions by books and study are strongly prepossest with almost impregnable anticipations and not so easily induced as more inconcerned and disengaged natures are to know or unknow any thing that either should be farther inquired into or should be for gotten And much within these two orbs our Apology moves in discovery of Jgnorance of Error of what we know not and of what we should not know For certainly much knowledge remaines yet conceal'd and the way to this discovery is by forgoeing many unprofitable subtleties and by a learn'd ignorance falling off from many aery speculations to the solid simplicity of the Ancients Were we to compose a Panegyrique in praise of the perfections of the learning of our daies which indeed merits such a sacrifice the labour were but halfe what it is for laudatory hymnes seldome come out of season they need no preparations and what might be wanting in the waight of speech would be supplied by an aptitude to accept and believe But in the businesse in hand the mind of man the principall subject to be wrought upon and her speculations both which we so admire are so immur'd and blockt up with corrupt notions either from the placits of Philosophers the depraved lawes of Demonstration or from inherent qualities in the generall nature of man or individuate temperature of particulars that nothing can be done untill these be convinced at least subjected to examination which is another motive that staies me upon the Land An other Reason which is the last I will trouble the Reader withall is this Time the measure of all our Actions without whose assistance our best conceptions are Abortives by the intercurrence of other engagements which I might have dispenced withall had I rightly understood the servile tenure of secular contracts hath surpriz'd me I conceive which I pronounce with some passion that a Scholler for his studies had bin the master of his own howres but he-that trafiques with the world shall finde it otherwise Time which I presum'd I could command and stay as I doe my watch hath commanded me And these diversions were seconded Humane Reader by a sad Accident It pleased God in the heat of my attendance on this businesse to take away by one of the terrors of mortality the Stone my deare brother Sr RICHARD SCOT servant to the most Eminent Lord the Lo. Deputy Generall of Ireland beloved of his deare Lord to the latest minute of life honour'd with his presence to the farthest confines of mortality and there by his Noble Piety deliver'd up with as much solemnity as a Kingdome could conferre unto the immortality of another world This deadly shaft passing through him so wounded me that I my selfe was arrived within few paces of the land of darknesse Jn his silent Marble the best part of that small portion of joy I had in the World but all my hopes are entombed This pensive casualty so took me off from books and businesse as for some months after I could relish no thoughts but what were mingled with the contemplations of mortality Sic fugit interea fugit irrevocabile tempus These were the impediments to my Apologetique which if what is done be accepted shall be prefix'd the NOV ORG For of this Translation this is the first part Reader if it please thee if it please thee not the last But before I take my leave here are some tacite objections which I would meet halfe way and so weaken their approaches lest they fall too heavy upon me The first is touching the Division of the first book into Chapters contrary to the mind of the Author and the intention of the work This exception may be thus satisfied that profit is to be preferred before artificiall contrivance where both cannot so conveniently be had and to this end discretion to be followed before rule Were the Author now alive and his vast Designes going on this alteration had been somewhat bold but the inimitable Architect now dead having perfected litle more then the outward Courts as it were of his magnificent Instauration and the whole summe of Sciences and the stock of Arts in present possession not able to defray the charges of finishing this Fabrique I thought fit by compartitions and distributions into severall roomes to improve what we have to our best advantage so it might be done without prejudice to the Authors procedure and apt coherence which J hope it is Having respect herein rather to accommodation than decoration for Houses as our Author saies are built to live in and not to look on and therefore use to be preferred before uniformity Another Exception may be made against the draught of the Platforme into Analytique tables which seems somewhat pedantique and against that common rule Artis est dissimulare Artem. To this J answer thus Order and dependance is as it were the soule of the World of the Works of Nature and Art and that which keeps them united without which all would fall asunder and become like the first Chaos before the production of light And of all Methods that ever were at least that ever came to our hands our Authors is the most naturall and most dependent For Truth as it reflects on us is a congruent conformity of the Jntellect to the Object and of the different faculties thereof to the difference of things wherefore the truest Partition of humane learning is that which hath reference to humane faculties when the Intellectuall Globe and the Globe of the World intermixe their beams and irradiations in a direct line of projection
to the Generation of Sciences This our Author hath perform'd to admiration and in this gone beyond all Antiquity yet upon their grounds wherein he can never be out-gone unlesse followed by Posterity The Ancients indeed were men of most profound speculations but in the delivery of themselves somewhat involv'd as appears by Plotinus Proclus Trismegistus and others and many of Platoes Schoole writ Dialogue-wise which is no doctrinal way As for Aristotle his precepts touching method if any such book was written they are perisht saving where he scatters such rules here and there which should have been silenced and are not so well followed by himselfe And for the Methods of the Modernes Ramus and others by the improvement of German writers impair'd they knit the limmes of knowledge to soone have bedwarfed Sciences and are become an Art as learned Hooker expresses it which teaches the way of speedy discourse and restrains the mind of man that it may not waxe over-wise The Excellency therefore of our Authors Partitions induced me to these delineations for their use only who have not the leasure or patience to observe it according to the merit that by this Anatomy the junctures and arteries as it were of this great body might more visibly appeare An other objection is touching the Allegations in the Margin contrary to the solemne custome of Antiquity and the most of graver Authors For this I had these reasons It pleased our Author thoe he was himselfe a living fountain of knowledge and had a wealthy stock of his own yet to tast of other waters and to borrow from Antiquity and to acknowledge such borrowings He thus nameing his Authors I thought fit to note them And as he was a man of a most elevated phansie and choice conceptions so was he in the selection of his Authors and the passages he pleas'd to make use of and it is worth the labour to know with whom such great wits use to converse to point to the Mines where they digge their Ore and to the shadowes where they repose at noone And as his selection of Authors was very choice so was his application of their sayings very curious and in a strain beyond the vulgar reach Places out of Sacred Scriptures are so explicated so applied as you may search all the Commenters that are extant and not finde the like expositions as you shall finde in him As for humane Authors he betters his borrowings from them teaching the allegations out of them a sense above the meaning of him that lent it him and which he repaies too with double interest for what he borrowed These considerations invited me to Marginall Citations These Reasons set apart I cannot approve this weake ambition and doe not without censure read Moderne Authors prostitute to humane allegations as if the Truth they deliver were to be tried by voices or having lost its primitive Innocence must be cover'd with these fig-leaves or as if the Authors themselves were afraid that it should make an escape out of their text if it were not beset in the Margin with Authorities as with a watch The last exception is touching the Prefaces and other Introductions prefix'd this worke that make the Gates and Entries so wide as they seem to invite the Citty to run away This is thus answer'd Jt must be remembred that this worke in the Designe was very spacious and is in the performance of what is done so ample that when the second and third Parts shall be added as added they will be the Porches and Ingresses in the judgement of any good Architect are proportionable enough And if our Authors rule hold that every faire Fabrique should have three Courts a greene Court a second Court more garnisht and a third to make a square with the Front then have you here this Epistle as the mean Court Iudgements upon this Author living and dead as the middle Court and the Authors own excellent Preface to confront with the work it selfe Now I should say something touching Translation and as it is mine The very Action is somewhat obnoxious to censure being of the nature of those the failing whereof may disgrace more than the carrying of it through credit the undertaker But besides the conscience of the deed done for other ends I could not have the Author now dead and alive mihi nec injuriis nec beneficiis notus and that to be a Translator is more than to be an Author some such as there be and that it is no such mean office to bear a light before a Lord Chancellor of England I should excuse it were the example mine so writes learned Savil so eloquent Sandys so Malvezzi's Noble Interpreter with whom conferred I am lesse than a shadow So many able and eminent names of France and Italy and other Nations So the Ancients of former ages and of all Arguments But if any be so solemne so severe and of such primitive tasts they can away with no waters which come not from the spring-head nor endure to drink of Tiber that passes through Thames They may give over here if they so please and proceed no farther This interpretation was not meant for such fastidious palates and yet it may be for as distinguishing as theirs are Now if this very action be thus liable to exception much more must my performance be Certainly books by Translation commonly take wind in the effusion and for strength fall short of their Originals as reflexed beams are weaker than direct but then it must be understood of Originals truly so For if a Writer deliver himselfe out of his Native language J see not why a Translator rendring him in it may not come neare him and in this case the Author himselfe is the Interpreter being he translates his own thoughts which originally speak his mother tongue Yet for all this Errors I know there are and some lapses which require a Connivence and a Reader hath this advantage that he may stay upon one period as long as an Jnterpreter did on one page besides his peculiar Genius to some studied passages Some Errors passing but a transient eye upon what is done J see already and could note them but I would not willingly gratify some kind of Readers so farre They that are Iuditious and ingenious too for J would have no Readers that have not these two ingredients in their compositions thoe sometimes I name but one which I would then should be predominant will in their judgements find them and in their mercy pardon them As for Sophists and Satyrists a degenerate Race of men that sit upon the lives and learning of all that write who resolv'd to doe nothing themselves may with more security censure others and them too who as Learned DON deciphers them forbid not bookes but men damning what ever such a name hath or shall write they are things below the merit of my indignation objects of Scorne which a litle slighted and not inflamed by opposition or countenanced to
Jnfinity Anxiety and Seducement of Knowledge Three preservatives § That it instruct us our Mortality § That it give us content § That it soare not too high § And so Philosophy leads the Mind by the Linkes of Second Causes unto the First CAP. II. I. Discredits cast upon Learning from the objections of Politiques That Learning softens Mens natures and makes them unfit for Exercise of Armes That Learning perverts mens minds for matter of Goverment Other particular indispositions pretended II. The solution Learning makes not men unapt for Armes III. Learning inables men for Civile affaires IV. Particular seducements imputed to Learning As curious incertainty § Pertinacious Regularity § Misleading Book-Presidents § Retired slothfulnesse § Relaxation of Discipline are rather cured than caused by Learning CAP. III. I. Discredits of Learning from Learned mens Fortunes Manners Nature of studies II. Derogations derived from Fortune are these Scarcity of Means § Privatenesse of life § Meannesse of imployment III. From their Manners these too Regular for the times § Too sensible of the good of others and too neglective of their own § A defailance in applying themselves to Persons of Quality § A Failing in some lesser Ceremonies of demeanure § Grosse Flattery practised by some Learned men § Instanced in the Moderne Dedication of Bookes § Discreet Morigeration allowed CAP. IV. I. Distempers of Learning from Learned mens studies are of three sorts Phantasticall Learning Contentious Learning Delicate Learning II. Delicate Learning a curiosity in words through profusenesse of speech § Decent expression commended § Affected brevity censured III. Contentious Learning a curiosity in matter through Novelty of Termes or strictnesse of Positions § A vanity either in Matter or in Method IV. Phantasticall Learning hath two branches Imposture Credulity § Credulity a Belief of History or a Beliefe of Art or Opinion and that either Reall in the Art it selfe § Or Personall in the Author of such an Art or Science CAP. V. Peccant Humors in Learning I. Extreme affection to two extremes Antiquity Novelty II. A distrust that any thing New should now be found out III. That of all Sects and Opinions the best hath still prevailed IV. An over-early reduction of Knowledge into Arts and Methods V. A neglect of PRIMITIVE PHILOSOPHY VI. A Divorce of the Jntellect from the Object VII A contagion of Knowledge in Generall from Particular inclinations and tempers VIII An impatience of suspense hast to positive assertion IX A Magistrall manner of Tradition of Knowledge X. Aime of Writers Illustration not Propagation of Knowledge XI End of studies Curiosity Pleasure Profit Preferment c. CPA VI. The Dignity of Learning from Divine Arguments and Testimonies I. From Gods Wisdome § Angels of Illumination § The first Light § The first Sabbath § Mans imployment in the Garden § Abels contemplation § The Invention of Musique § Confusion of Tongues II. The excellent Learning of Moses § Job § Salomon § Christ § St Paul § The Ancient Doctors of the Church § Learning exalts the Mind to the Celebration of Gods glory and is a preservative against Error and unbeliefe CAP. VII The Dignity of Learning from human Arguments and Testimonies I. Naturall Inventors of new Arts for the Commodity of Mans life consecrated as Gods II. Politicall Civile Estates and Affaires advanced by Learning § The best and the happiest times under Learned Princes and others § Exemplified in six continued succeeding Emperors from the death of Domitian III. Military The Concurrence of Armes and Learning § Exemplified in Alexander the Great § Julius Caesar the Dictator § Xenophon the Philosopher CAP. VIII The Merit of Learning from the influence it hath upon Morall virtues § Learning a Soveraign remedy for all the diseases of the Mind § The domininion thereof greater than any Temporall Power being a Power over Reason and Beliefe § Learning gives Fortunes Honours and Delights excelling all other as the soule the sense § Durable monuments of Fame § A prospect of the Immortality of a future world THE SECOND BOOK THE PROEM THe Advancement of Learning commended to the Care of Kings I. The Acts thereof in generall three Reward Direction Assistance II In speciall about three Objects Places Books Persons § In Places foure Circumstances Buildings Revenues Priviledges Lawes of Discipline § In Books two Libraries good Editions § In Persons two Readers of Sciences extant Jnquiries into Parts non-extant III. Deficients in the Acts of Advancement six want of Foundations for Arts at large § Meannesse of Salary to Readers § Want of allowance for experiments § Preposterous Institutions unadvised practises in Academicall studies § Want of Intelligence between the Vniversities of Europe § Want of Enquirers into the Defects of Arts. § The Authors particular designe § Modest defence CAP. I I. An Vniversall Partition of Human Learning into § History II. Poesy III. Philosophy § This Partition is drawn from the three Intellective Faculties Memory Imagination Reason § The same distribution is agreeable unto Divine Learning CAP. II. I. The Partition of History into Naturall and Civile Ecclesiasticall and Literary comprehended under Civile II. The Partition of Naturall History into the History of Generations III. Of Preter-Generations IV. Of Arts. CAP. III. I. A Second Partition of Naturall History from the Vse and End thereof into Narrative and Jnductive And that the most noble end of Naturall History is that it Minister and Conduce to the building up of Philosophy which end Inductive History respecteth II. The Partition of the History of Generations into the History of the Heavens The History of the Meteors The History of the Earth and Sea The History of Massive Bodies or of the greater Collegiats The History of Kinds or of the Lesser Collegiats CAP. IV. I. The Partition of History Civile into Ecclesiasticall and Literary and which retaines the generall name Civile II. Literary Deficient § Precepts how to compile it CAP. V. Of the Dignity and Difficulty of Civile History CAP. VI. The first Partition of Civile History into § Memorials § Antiquities § Perfect History CAP. VII The Partition of Perfect History into Chronicles of Times Lives of Persons Relation of Acts. § The explication of the History of Lives § Of Relations CAP. VIII The Partition of the History of Times into universall and particular History The advantages and disadvantages of both CAP. IX The Second Partition of the History of Times into Annals and Iournals CAP. X. A Second Partition of Speciall-Civile History in History Simple and Mixt. CAP. XI I. The Partition of Ecclesiasticall History into the Generall History of the Church II. History of Prophecy III. History of Providence CAP. XII The Appendices of History Conversant about the words of Men as History it selfe about Mens Acts. The partition of them into Speeches Letters and Apophthegmes CAP. XIII The Second Principall part of Human Learning Poesy I. The Partition of Poesy into Narrative II. Drammaticall III. Parabolicall § Three Examples of Parabolicall Poesy propounded IV.
Recognisance or Retractation as the Lawyers speak as if we had understood and knowne them before III An other error which hath some affinity with the former is a conceit That all sects and ancient opinions after they have bin discussed and ventilated the best still prevail'd and supprest the rest Wherefore they think that if a man should begin the labour of a new search and examination he must needs light upon somewhat formerly rejected and after rejection lost and brought into oblivion as if the multitude or the wisest to gratify the multitude were not more ready to give passage to that which is populare and superficiall than to that which is substantiall and profound For Time seemeth to be of the nature of a River which carrieth down to us that which is light and blown up and sinketh and drowneth that which is waighty and solid I Another error of divers nature from the former is The overearly and Peremptory reduction of Knowledge into Arts and Methods which once done commonly sciences receive small or no augmentation For as young men when they knit and shape perfectly doe seldome grow to a farther stature so knowledge while it is disperst into Aphorismes and Observations may grow and shoot up but once inclosed and comprehended in Methods it may perchance be farther polisht and illustrate and accommodated for use and practise but it increaseth no more in bulke and substance V Another error which doth succeed that which we last noted is That after distribution of Particular Arts and Sciences into their severall places many men have presently abandoned the universall notion of things or Philosophia Prima which is a deadly enemy to all Progression Prospects are made from Turrets and high places and it is impossible to discover the more remote and deeper parts of any science if you stand but upon the flat and levell of the same science and ascend not as into a watch-Tower to a higher science VI Another error hath proceeded from too great a reverence and a kind of Adoration of the mind and understanding of man by means whereof men have withdrawn themselves too much from the contemplation of Nature and the observations of experience and have tumbled up and downe in their own speculations and conceits but of these surpassing Opinators and if J may so speak Jntellectualists which are notwithstanding taken for the most sublime divine Philosophers Heraclitus gave a just censure saying Men seek truth in their own litle world N. L. and not in the great common world for they disdaine the Alphabet of nature and primer-Primer-Book of the Divine works which if they did not they might perchance by degrees and leasure after the knowledge of simple letters and spelling of Syllables come at last to read perfectly the Text and Volume of the Creatures But they contrariwise by continuall meditation and agitation of wit urge and as it were invocate their own spirits to divine and give Oracles unto them whereby they are deservedly and pleasingly deluded VII Another Error that hath some connexion with this latter is That men doe oftentimes imbue and infect their meditations and doctrines with the infusions of some Opinions and conceptions of their own which they have most admired or some sciences to which they have most applied and consecrated themselves giving all things a Dye and Tincture though very deceivable from these favorite studies So hath Plato intermingled his Philosophy with Theology Aristotle with Logique The second Schoole of Plato Proclus and the rest with the Mathematiques These Arts had a kind of Primo-geniture with them which they would still be kissing and making much of as their first borne sonnes But the Alchimists have forged a new Philosophy out of the Fire and Furnace and Gilbert our Countrey-man hath extracted another Philosophy out of a Load-stone So Cicero when reciting the severall opinions of the nature of the soule he found a Musitian that held the soule was but a harmony saith plesantly Hic ab arte sua non recessit Tusc lib. 1. But of these errors Aristotle saith aptly and wisely De Gen. Cor. lib. 1. alibi Qui respiciunt ad pauca de facili pronunciant VIII Another error is An impatience of Doubt and an unadvised hast to Assertion without due and mature suspension of the judgement For the two waies of contemplation are not unlike the two waies of Action commonly spoken of by the Ancients of which the one was a plaine and smooth way in the beginning but in the end impassible the other rough and troublesome in the entrance but after a while faire and even so is it in contemplations if a man will begin in certainties he shall end in doubts but if he can be content to begin with doubts and have patience a while he shall end in certainties IX The like error discovereth it selfe in the manner of Tradition and Delivery of knowledge which is for the most part imperious and magistrall not ingenious and faithfull so contrived as may rather command our assent than stand to examination It is true that in compendious Treatises designed for Practice that Forme of writing may be retained but in a just and compleat handling of knowledge both extremes are to be avoided Cic. de Nat. Dier lib. 1. as well the veine of Velleius the Epicurean who feard nothing so much as to seem to doubt of any thing as that of Socrates and the Academie leaving all things in doubt and incertainty Rather men should affect candor and sincerity propounding things with more or lesse asseveration as they stand in their judgement proved more or lesse X Other errors there are in the scope that men propound to themselves whereunto they bend their endeavours and studies For whereas the most devout Leaders and noted Professors of Learning ought chiefly to propound to themselves to make some notable addition to the science they professe contrariwise they convert their labours to aspire to certain second prizes as to be a profound interpreter or commentator a sharp and strong champion or Defendor a Methodicall compounder or Abridger so the Revenewes and Tributes of Sciences come to be improved but not the Patrimony and Inheritance XI But the greatest error of all the rest is the mistaking or misplacing the last and farthest end of knowledge For many have entred into a desire of Learning and Knowledge some upon an imbred and restlesse Curiosity others to entertaine their mindes with variety and delight others for ornament and reputation others for contradiction and victory in dispute others for Lucre and living few to improve the gift of reason given them from God to the benefite and use of men As if there were sought in knowledge a couch whereupon to rest a restlesse and searching spirit or a Tarrasse for a wandring and variable mind to walk up and downe in at liberty unrestrained or some high and eminent Tower of State from which a proud and ambitious mind may
partiall to his own profession that said Than should People or States be happy when either Kings were Philosophers or Philosophers Kings yet so much is verified by experience that under wise and Learned Princes and Governors of State there hath bin ever the best and happiest times For howsoever Kings may have their errors and imperfections that is be liable to Passions and depraved customes like other mē yet if they be illuminated by Learning they have certain anticipate notions of Religion Policy and Morality which preserve and refrain them from all ruinous and peremptory errors and excesses whispering evermore in their eares when Councellors and Servants stand mute and silent So likewise Senators and Councellors which be Learned doe proceed upon more safe and substantiall principles than Councellors which are only men of experience Those seeing dangers a farre off and repulsing them betimes whereas these are wise only neere at hand seeing nothing but what is imminent and ready to fall upon them and than trust to the agility of their wit in the point of dangers to ward and avoid them § Which felicity of times under Learned Princes to keep still the law of brevity by using the most selected and eminent examples doth best appear in the Age which passed from the death of Domitianus the Emperor untill the raigne of Commodus comprehending a succession of sixe Princes all Learned or singular favourers and advancers of Learning and of all ages if we regard temporall happinesse the most florishing that ever Rome saw which was then the Modell and Epitome of the world A matter revealed and prefigur'd unto Domitian in a dream Suet. in Dom parag 23. the night before he was slaine for he seem'd to see grown behind upon his shoulders a neck and a head of gold which Divination came indeed accordingly to passe in those golden times which succeeded of which we will make some particular but brief commemoration Nerva was a Learned Prince an inward acquaintance and even a Disciple to Apollonius the Pythagorean who also almost expired in a verse of Homers Nerva tuis Dion l. 68. Plin. Pan. Telis Phaebetuis lachrimas ulciscere nostras Trajan was for his Person not Learned but an admirer of Learning and a munificent benefactor to the Learned a Founder of Libraries and in whose Court though a warlike Prince as is recorded Dion in Adriano Professors and Preceptors were of most credit and estimation Adrian was the most curious man that lived and the insatiable inquirer of all variety and secrets Antoninus had the patient and subtile wit of a Schoole-man in so much as he was called Cymini-Sector Dion in Anton. P. a Carver or a divider of Cummin-seed And of the Divi fratres Lucius Commodus was delighted with a softer kind of Learning and Marcus was surnam'd the Philosopher These Princes as they excel'd the rest in Learning so they excel'd them likewise in virtue and goodnesse Nerva was a most mild Emperour Plin. Pan. Aur. vict c. 13. and who if he had done nothing else gave Trajan to the World Trajan of all that raigned for the Arts both of Peace and Warre was most famous and renowned the same Prince enlarged the bounds of the Empire the same Xyphil ex Dion Trajan temperately confin'd the Limits and Power thereof he was also a great Builder in so much as Constantine the Great in emulation was wont to call him Parietaria Wall-Flower because his name was carved upon so many walls Adrian was Times rivall for the victory of perpetuity for by his care and munificence in every kind he repaired the decaies and ruines of Time ANTONINUS as by name so nature Capitol In Ant. P. a man exceeding Pious for his nature and inbred goodnesse was beloved and most acceptable to men of all sorts and degrees whose raigne though it was long § In Vero. In M. Ant. yet was it peacefull and happy Lucius Commodus exceeded indeed by his brother excel'd many of the Emperours for goodnesse Marcus formed by nature to be the pattern and Platforme of virtue against whom that Iester in the banquet of the Gods had nothing to object or carpe at Iuliani Caesares save his patience towards the humors of his wife So in this continued sequence of sixe Princes a man may see the happy fruits of Learning in Soveraignty Painted forth in the greatest Table of the world III. Neither hath Learning an influence or operation upon Civill merit and the Arts of Peace only but likewise it hath no lesse Power and Efficacy in Martiall and Military virtue as may notably be represented in the examples of Alexander the Great and Iulius Caesar the Dictator mention'd by the way before but now in fit place to be resumed of whose Military virtues and Acts in warre there needs no note or recitall having bin the wonders of the world in that kind but of their affection and propension towards Learning and peculiar perfection therein it will not be impertinent to say some thing § Alexander was bred and taught under Aristotle certainly a great Philosopher who dedicated diverse of his Books of Philosophy unto him he was attended with Calisthenes and diverse other Learned persons that followed him in Campe and were his perpetuall associates in all his Travailes and Conquests What Price and Estimation he had Learning in doth notably appear in many particulars as in the envy he expressed towards Achille's great fortune in this That he had so good a Trumpet of his Actions provesse as Homers verses Plut. in Alexand. In the judgement he gave touching the precious Cabinet of Darius which was found amongst the rest of the spoiles whereof when question was mov'd what thing was worthy to be put into it and one said one thing another another Plut. ut supra he gave sentence for Homers works His reprehensorie letter to Aristotle after he had set forth his Book of Nature wherein he expostulates with him for publishing the secrets or mysteries of Philosophy and gave him to understand Vt supra That himselfe estimed it more to excell others in Learning and Knowledge than in Power and Empire There are many other particulars to this purpose But how excellently his mind was endowed with Learning doth appear or rather shine in all his Speeches and answers full of knowledg wisdome whereof though the Remaines be small yet you shal find deeply impressed in them the foot-steps of all sciences in Moral knowledge Let the speech of Alexander be observed touching Diogenes see if yee please if it tend not to the true estate of one of the greatest questions in morall Philosophy Whether the enjoying of outward things or the contemning of them be the greater happinesse For when he saw Diogenes contented with so litle turning to those that stood about him that mock't at the Cyniques condition he said Vt supra Jf I were not Alexander J could wish to be
of wild-foule there is no property but the right is past over with the possession Contra Incontinence is one of Circes worst transformations An unchast liver hath utterly lost a reverence to himselfe which is the bridle of all vice They that with Paris make beauty their wish loose as he did Wisdome and Honour Alexander fell upon no popular truth when he said that sleep and lust were the earnests of Death CRUELTY XVIII Pro. No virtue is so often guilty as clemency Cruelty if it proceed from revenge it is justice if from Perill it is wisdome He that shewes mercy to his enimy denies it to himselfe Phlebotomy is not more necessary in the Body Naturall than it is in the body Politique Contra. He that delights in blood is either a wild beast or a Fury Cruelty to a Good man seems to be but a Fable and some Tragicall fiction VAIN-GLORY XIX Pro. He that seeks his own praise withall seeks the profit of others He that is so reserv'd as to regard nothing that is forraine it may be suspected that he will account publique affaires forraine impertinencies Such Dispositions as have a commixture of Levity in them more easily undertake a Publique charge Contra. Vaine-glorious persons are alwaies factious Lyars Inconstant over-doing Thraso is Gnathoes prey Jt is a shame for a Lover to make suit to the hand-maid but Praise is virtues hand-maid JUSTICE XX. Pro. Kingdomes and States are only the Appendices of Iustice for if Justice otherwise could be executed there would be no need of them It is the effect of Iustice that man is to man a God and not a Wolfe Though Justice can not extirpate vice yet it represseth it from doing hurt Contra. If this be to be just not to doe to another what you would not have done to your selfe then is mercy Iustice Jf we must give every one his due then surely pardon to Humanity What tell you me of equity when to a wise man all things are unequall Doe but consider what the conditiō of the guilty was in the Roman state and then say justice is not for the Re-publique The common Iustice of states is as a Philosopher in Court that is it makes only for a reverentiall respect of such as bear Rule FORTITUDE XXI Pro. Nothing but feare is terrible There is nothing solid in pleasure nor assur'd in virtue where fear disquiets He that confronts dangers with open eyes that he may receive the charge marketh how to avoid the same All other virtues free us from the Dominion of vice only Fortitude from the Dominion of Fortune Contra. That 's a goodly virtue to be willing to dye so you may be sure to kill That 's a goodly virtue sure which even drunkennesse may induce He that is prodigall of his own life will not spare the life of an other Fortitude is a virtue of the Jron Age. TEMPERANCE XXII Pro. To Abstaine to Sustaine are virtues proceeding commonly from the same habit Vniformities concords and Measures of motions are things celestiall and the characters of Eternity Temperance as wholsome coldes concenterate and strengthen the forces of the Mind Too exquisite and wandring senses had need of Narcotiques and so likewise wandring affections Contra. I like not these negative virtues for they argue Innocence not Merit That mind languisheth which is not sometimes spirited by excesse I like those virtues which induce the vivacity of Action and not the dulnesse of Passion When you set downe the equall tempers of the mind you set downe but few nam pauperis est numerare pecus These Stoicismes not to use that so you may not desire not to desire that so you may not feare are the resolutions of pusillanimous and distrustfull natures CONSTANCY XXIII Pro. Constancy is the foundation of virtue He is a miserable man that hath no perception of his future state what it shall or may be Seeing mans judgement is so weak as that he cannot be constant to things let him at least be true to himselfe and to his own designes Constancy gives reputation even to vice If to the Inconstancy of fortune we adde also the inconstancy of mind in what mazes of darknesse doe we live Fortune is like Proteus if you persist she returnes to her true shape Contra. Constancy like a sullen-selfe-will'd Porteresse drives away many fruitfull informations There is good reason that Constancy should patiently endure crosses for commonly she causeth them The shortest folly is the best MAGNANIMITY XXIV Pro. When once the mind hath propounded to it selfe honourable ends then not only virtues but even the divine powers are ready to second Virtues springing from Habit or precept are vulgar but from the end heroicall Contra. Magnanimity is a virtue Poeticall KNOWLEDGE CONTEMPLATION XXV Pro. That delight only is according to Nature whereof there is no satiety The sweetest prospect is that which looks into the errors of others in the vale below How pleasing and profitable a thing is it to have the orbs of the mind concentrique with the orbs of the World All depraved affections are false valuations but goodnesse and Truth are ever the same Contra. A contemplative life is a specious sloth To think well is litle better then to dreame well The divine providence regards the world thou thy country Aright Politique procreates Contemplations LEARNING XXVI Pro. Jf there were Books written of the smallest matters there would hardly be any use of experience Reading is a converse with the wise Action for the most part a commerce with fooles Those sciences are not to be reputed altogether unprofitable that are of no use if they sharpen the wits and marshall our conceptions Contra Jn Schooles men learne to believe What Art did yet ever teach the seasonable use of Art To be wise from Precept and from experience are two contrary habits so as he that is accustomed to the one is inept for the other There is many times a vain use of Art least there should be no use This commonly is the humor of all Schollers that they are wont to acknowledge all they know but not to learne what they know not PROMPTITUDE XXVII Pro. That is not seasonable wisdome which is not quick and nimble He that quickly erres quickly reformes his error He that is wise upon deliberation and not upon present occasion performes no great matter Contra That wisdome is not farre fetcht nor deeply grounded which is ready at hand Wisdome as a vestment that is lightest which is readiest Age doth not ripen their wisdome whose Counsils deliberation doth not ripen What is suddenly invented suddenly vanisheth soon ripe soon rotten Silence in matters of Secrecy XXVIII Pro. From a silent man nothing is conceal'd for all is there safely laid up He that easily talkes what he knowes will also talke what he knowes not Mysteries are due to secrecies Contra. Alteration of Customes placeth the mind in the darke and makes men goe invisible Secrecy is the virtue of a confessor
both parties had a just cause yet he thus bespeaks them both Exod. II. You are Brethren why strive you Wherefore if these things be well observed it will be found a matter of great moment and use to define what and of what latitude those points are which discorporate men from the body of the Church and cast them out and quite casseere them from the communion and fellowship of the faithfull And if any think that this hath bin done now long agoe let him seriously consider with what syncerity and moderation the same hath bin perform'd In the mean space it is very likely that he that makes mention of Peace shall bear away that answer Jehu gave to the Messengers Is it PEACE Iehu I Reg. IX What hast thou to doe with PEACE turne and follow me Peace is not the matter that many seek after but Parties and sideing Notwithstanding we thought good to set downe amongst DEFICIENTS as a wholsome and profitable work a Treatise touching THE DEGREES OF UNITY IN THE CITTY OF GOD. ✿ VTRES COELESTES sive Emanationes Scripturarum III Seeing the Parts of sacred Scripture touching the Information of Theology are such and so great let us specially consider the Interpretation thereof nor doe we here speak of the Authority of interpretateing them which is establisht by the consent of the Church but of the manner of Interpreting This is of two sorts Methodicall and Solute or at large for this divine water which infinitely excells that of Iacobs well is drawn forth and deliver'd much after the same manner as Naturall waters use to be out of wells for these at the first draught are either receiv'd into Cisternes and so may be convayed and diriv'd by many Pipes for publique and private use or is powred forth immediatly in Buckets and vessells to be us'd out of hand as occasion requires § Now this former Methodicall manner hath at length brought forth unto us Scholasticall Theologie whereby Divinity hath bin collected into an Art as into a Cisterne and the streames of Axioms and Positions distributed from thence into all parts § But in solute Manner of Interpreting two extreams intervene the one presupposeth such a perfection in Scriptures as that all Philosophie ought to be fetcht and diriv'd from those sacred fountains as if all other Philosophy were an unhallowed and Heathenish thing This distemperature hath prevaild especially in the Schoole of Paracelsus and some others the source and spring whereof flowed from the Rabbins and Cabalists But these men have not attain'd their purpose nor doe they give honour as they pretend to Scriptures but rather embase and distaine them For to seeke a materiate Heaven and Earth in the word of God whereof it is said Heaven and Earth shall passe Mat. XXIV but my word shall not passe is indeed to pursue Temporarie things amongst eternall for as to seek Divinity in Philosophy is as if you would seek the living amongst the Dead so on the other side to seek Philosophy in Divinity is all one as to seek the Dead amongst the living § The other manner of Jnterpreting which we set downe as an excesse seems at first sight sober and chast yet notwithstanding it both dishonoureth Scriptures and is a great prejudice and detriment to the Church and it is to speak in a word when Divinely inspir'd Scriptures are expounded after the same manner that humane writings are For it must be remembred that there are two points known to God the Author of Scripture which mans nature cannot comprehend that is The secrets of the Heart and the succession of times Wherefore seeing the Precepts and Dictates of Scriptures were written and directed to the Heart and Thoughts of men and comprehend the vicissitudes of all Ages with an eternall and certain fore-sight of all Heresies Contradictions differing and mutable estates of the Church as well in generall as of the Elect in speciall they are to be interpreted according to the Latitude and the proper sense of the place and respectively toward that present occasion whereupon the words were utter'd or in precise congruity from the Context of the precedent and subsequent words or in contemplation of the principall scope of the place but so as we conceive them to comprehend not only totally or collectively but distributively even in clauses and in every word infinite springs and streams of Doctrine to water every part of the Church and the spirits of the Faithfull For it hath bin excellently observed that the Answers of our Saviour to many of the questions which were propounded to him seem not to the purpose but as it were impertinent to the state of the question demanded The Reasons hereof are two the one that being he knew the thoughts of those that propounded the Questions not from their words as we men use to doe but immediatly and of himselfe he made answer to their thoughts not to their words The other Reason is that he spak not only to them that were then present but to us also who now live and to men of every Age and place to whom the Gospell should be preacht which sense in many places of Scripture must take place § These thus briefely toucht and fore-tasted come we now to that Treatise which we report as Deficient There are found indeed amongst Theologicall writings too many books of Controversies an infinite masse of that Divinity which we call Positive as Common-places Particular Treatises Cases of Conscience Sermons Homilies and many Prolix Commentaries upon the Books of Scripture but the Forme of writing Deficient is this namely a succinct and sound Collection and that with judgement of Annotations and observations upon particular Texts of Scripture not dilateing into common-places or chaseing after Controversies or reduceing them into method of Art but which be altogither scatterd and Naturall a thing indeed now and then exprest in more learned Sermons which for most part vanish but which as yet is not collected into Books that should be transmitted to Posterity Certainly as wines which at first pressing run gently yeeld a more pleasant tast than those where the wine-presse is hard wrought because those somewhat relish of the stone and skinne of the Grape so those observations are most wholsome and sweet which flow from Scriptures gently exprest and naturally expounded and are not wrested or drawn aside to common-places or Controversies such a Treatise we will name The Emanations of Scripture § Thus have we made as it were a small Globe of the Jntellectuall world as faithfully as we could togither with a designation and description of those parts which I find not constantly occupate or not well converted by the Industry and labours of men In which work if I have any where receded from the opinion of the Ancients I desire that Posterity would so judge of my intentions as that this was done with a mind of further Progression and Proficience in melius and not out of a humour