Monitio logica, or, An abstract and translation of Burgersdicius his logick by a gentleman.

COMMENTARY.

1. §. Difference, in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is, with Porphy∣rie Threefold, Commonly, Properly, and most Properly so said. Difference commonly so said, is that by which a thing differs by a separable Accident; either from another thing, as when we say, one Man differs from an∣other; because one sits, the other stands; one is silent, the other speaks; or, from it self. So Hector seemed to Aencas when he appeared to him in a Dream, to differ from that Hector who returned clad with the Spoils of Achilles.

Difference properly so called, is that by which one thing differs from another by an inseparable Accident or Propriety; as, a Crow from a Swan; because this is white, that black. Both of these Differences are Accidental. The Difference most proper with Porphy∣rie, is that which we call Essential; as when a Man because endued with Reason, is said to differ from Brute Beasts.

2. §. Every Difference, says Porphyrie, adjoined to any thing else, makes it to be other than it was; Ac∣cidental, that it be dislike or other ways affected; Essential, that it be quite different. Whence by the Greeks they are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Specifick.

Ax. 5. The Offices of Essential Difference are Two; to divide the Genus and constitute the Species.

1. §. As it divides the Genus, it is called di∣visive; as it constitutes the Species, constitutive, or completive; because it compleats the Definition of the Species when it is conjoined to the Genus. Difference therefore Divisive and Constitutive are not two diverse Differences, but Offices of the same Difference. The highest Genus's have no constitutive Difference; be∣cause first and immediately diverse. And the lowest Species's have no divisive; because Individuals agree in their whole Essence. But Accidental Differences belong to the following Predicables; only Essential to this Place, and is so defined.

Ax. 6. Difference is that which is predicated Es∣sentially of many things, different, whether in Num∣ber or Species, in the Question in which it is asked, Of what Quality a thing is.

1. §. The Differences of the lowest Species's are predicated of many things, different in Num∣ber; as, Rational, Of Plato and Socrates, &c. Those of Species's Subaltern, in Species, as to be endued with Sense of Man and Beast. Difference is said to be predi∣cated in the Question in which it is asked, Of what Quality a thing is; because it is a certain Quality of the Genus: For Genus being in its own Nature in∣determined, is determined, and, as one may say, qua∣lified by Difference: For to one asking, What sort of Animal is Man? it is aptly answered, a Rational. Dif∣ference is said to be Essentially predicated; because put in the Definition of Species, and predicated Syno∣nymously of it; that is, as to Name and Definition. And therein is Difference distinguished from Propriety and Accident.