The Art of Logic, Book 1 · Part 2
1 Of the division of words.
1 Words have their divisions either
Of the thing signified. a *.
Of the manner and ordering of signifying. b *
Of things signified, some words are
Of themselves significative, as a Man ora. Woman, Worm, &c. and all Nouns that signifie a thing wholly.
Consignificative, and that need other words to expresse their meaning, as Adverbs, Pronouns, &c.
Significative words also are of the first intention which signifie of themselves without the help of the minde, and they are the things themselves, or
2 Of the second intention, which means not a thing (it self) but the manner of it, or word of Art, whereby the thing is understood.
Now the division of the manner of signifying words isb
into Abstract Concrete ”foreign.Abstract, is which signifieth a thing apart, causing the minde to meditate the simple and precise nature of any thing, as Godhead, Manhood, whiteness, redness, &c.
Concrete is that which signifies things conjoyntly, as having more natures then one complicate or conjunct, as man, white, holy, &c.
Words also are either of
1 A particular signification, as man.
2 Collective signification, as a flock, a company, a Church, &c.
Again, of the manner of signifying, words are either
Distinct.
Ambiguous.
Distinct, which hath a certain and distinct signification, as fire, earth, ayr, and other names of things existent in nature.
An ambiguous word, is which indistinctly signifieth things that in nature are divers, as Cancer, which signifieth both a living creature and a disease; hereunto all words that are Eqvivocall, and have divers senses are referrible.
Now words become doubtful either
by chance.
of purpose.
Words ambiguous by chance is, when reason cannot beforeign. given why one name should be given to things divers in nature and definition.
Of purpose doubtfull, is when a common name is given to divers things upon counsell, and for some certain reasons, and this again is doubtfull either of
Dependance. a
Similitude. b
Ambiguous of dependance, is when a generall name is givena to divers things, whereof one is dependant on another (as upon the more principall) touching the nature of it; as this word thing is most generall, and therefore doubtfull, it being attributed both to substances and accidents, but not equally and alike; for to a substance it is given of it self, and principally; to an accident, lesse principally, as having its nature dependent of the substance, it is therefore called an Analogous ”foreign.general or Genus.
Ambiguous of similitude, is, when for some consimilitude or likenesse, together, one name is given to divers things,b d and is either 1 Simple, d or 2 Compound e
1 Simple, is, when the Similitude lies between two and no more, and is of
Conceit.
Things really.
Ambiguous by similitude of conceit, is, when two things altogether divers (as God and the Creature) obtain one and the same attribute or name upon the conception we make of some similitude betwixt them; so God and man are both said to be good, just, to repent, &c. whereas really, no words can be found to expresse Gods most incomprehensible being.
Ambiguous by similitude of things in reality, is, when the significations of their natures or operation bear an evident and known similitude. As when meat and medicine are called healthfull, because both cause health: Or, as when a beast and a disease are called a Wolf, because of the rapacity and ravenousnesse of both; and upon this account are the Seals of Gods Covenant called Sacraments, because of the correspondence and similitude they bear unto those Solemn Oaths, wherewith men were in former ages bound and consecrate to the Wars.
Ambiguous of a Compound Similitude, is, whose likenessee consisteth of a proportion between four; and it is called Analogie. As this word Governour is Analogical andforeign. proportionable, when attributed to a Magistrate and a Shipmaster; for (here is the proportion between four) as the Master of a ship or Pilot is unto a ship (whereof he hath government) so is the Magistrate unto the Common-wealth. In like manner, flesh is Analogical in respect of beasts, birds, and of apples, cherries, &c. And in this sense are Magistrates called Gods upon earth, Psal. 82. 6. And thus much of the divisions of Words; Now follow their affections, or their Canons and Rules, which be three.
The first affection of a word, is, that it should be perspicuous,Rules of the affections of words. that is, plain, and significative unto the mind of that which it ought to signifie, 2 It should be received by a common consent and use. 3 It should be proper, determined and adapt to the signifying of the thing to be signified.