An introduction to the art of logick composed for the use of English schools, and all such who having no opportunity of being instructed in the Latine tongue ... / by John Newton ...

CHAP. IV. Of Difference.

DIfference is threefold.

• 1 Common which is some seperable Acci∣dent that doth distinguish one thing from another, as white, to walk, and doth belong to the fifth predicable: It is called Difference as it makes to differ, and an Accident because it is inherent.
• 2. Proper, which is either an inseperable Accident, in the fifth predicable, or a proper Accident in the fourth predicable, as Quantity, Risibility.
• 3. Most proper, by which one thing doth differ from another essentially: and this is that Difference which belongs to this third predicable.

In which we are to consider three things.

First what this Difference is, and it may be defined three ways.

• 1. Difference is an universal, by which one Species is essentially distinguished from another:

• thus Rationality doth distinguish a man from a beast.
• 2. Difference is an Ʋniversal, according to which a Species doth excel its Genus: because a Species doth in it's essence contain such dif∣ferences as the Genus in its essence doth not contain. Thus man by reason of his Ratio∣nality doth excel a living creature in Gene∣ral, which is the Genus of man.
• 3. Difference is an universal, which may be spoken of many differing in Species or number, and declaring essentially what kind of thing it is of which it is spoken. And this is the de∣finition of difference, as it is a predicable.

Secondly, we are to consider how many fold this difference is, the which is either 1. Di∣visive, by which the Genus is divided into its se∣veral Species; as by rational, and irrational, a living creature is divided into a man or a beast.

2. Constitutive, which doth essentially con∣stitute some Species, and this is two fold.

• 1. Generical, which doth constitute some remote Species but not the next, for the next is the Genus; thus sensibility in respect of man is a Generical difference constituting first a living creature and remotely man. And this is always spoken of many differing in Spe∣cies or number.
• 2. Specifical, which doth constitute the

• ... nearest Species; as rationability doth constitute man.

3. We are to consider its properties which are six.

• 1. Every difference is, an Essential part of its Species, and of every individual of which it is spoken.
• 2. Every Difference is Divisive, in respect of its superior, and constitutive in respect of its inferiour.
• 3. Every difference is in nature before its Species, and is the internal cause thereof.
• 4. No difference is directly in the predica∣mental order, but indirectly only and collate∣rally.
• 5. Every difference is immediately spoken of one, viz. its Species, and mediately of ma∣ny.
• 6. No difference is spoken of that Species of which it is the difference, by way of more and less.