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Table of Definitions
These words explained are not intended for the learned, but for the unlearned, whereby they may come to the understanding of this book and others of the same nature, and rather because many sentences may depend on the opening3 of a word.
Synecdoche A figure of speech containing a part for the whole p. 4
Genuine distribution Natural or proper division. p. 2
Metonymy A figure of speech by which the cause is put for the effect, or the subject for the Adjunct or contrariwise, the effect for the cause. ibid.
Inaccessible That cannot be gone into. p. 9
Essence The beginning. p. 10
Consectaries Or conclusions. ibidem
Subsistence The manner of being. ibidem
Abstract The substantive, such as whiteness. p. 11
Concrete The Adjective, such as white. ibidem Imparity inequality ibidem
Equivocally Doubtful ibidem
Analogically By way of Resemblance p. 12
Numerical, Individual As one and the same thing, not only in nature, but in number. ibidem
Dimension The measure of anything ibidem
Immensity Greatness p. 13
Relatives Respective p. 15
Individuating Refraining or Limiting ibidem
Procession Issuing p. 16 Efficiency of God His working power p. 19
Syllogism An argument p. 20
Identity Sameness of a thing p. 22
Termination The relation of a work to a particular person ibidem
Analysis Resolution p. 24
Idea A form or image of a thing in a man’s mind ibidem
Quiddity The being of a thing p. 25
Existence The actual being of a thing ibidem Contingent Accidental p. 26
Simple intelligence God’s absolute knowledge ibidem
Science Is knowledge ibidem
Sapience Is wisdom ibidem
Concomitant Accompanying p. 27
Antecedent Going before ibidem
Connexion Joining before ibidem
Exist To have an actual being p. 28
Passive attingency That is, the efficacy of the will of God upon one thing causing another thing ibidem
Contingency By chance p. 30
Metonymically By a figure, the cause for the effect, or the subject for the quality, or contrariwise ibidem
Formally transient Really passing p. 31
Virtually That is, in power ibidem
Pre-exist To be before p. 32
Entity The being of a thing p. 33
Aggregation Heaping up or joining together ibidem
Incomplete Imperfect p. 35
Intrinsically Inwardly p. 42
Indissoluble That must not be dissolved ibidem
Previous Going before p. 43
Sunteresis That part of the understanding in which we keep several notions p. 47
Animal Living ibidem
Sanction The establishment of the Law ibidem
Adjuvant Helping p. 50
Sophistical By a false argument ibidem
Prediction Foretelling p. 51
Homogeneal Of the same name and nature p. 58
Detraction Withdrawing from the Law p. 61
Theoretical Contemplative p. 62
Inauguration Installing p. 85
Ubiquitary That is everywhere p. 94
Promiscuously Confused p. 102
Physical motion An actual change p. 115
Adequate Of the same extent p. 117
Extrinsic Outward p. 121
Manumission Freedom p. 123
Transmutation Change p. 129
Collectively Together p. 136
Integrally Wholly ibidem
Genus A logical term intimating a nature common to several kinds p. 137
Species A logical term signifying a nature agreeable to several particulars ibidem
Theological Axiom A rule in Divinity p. 156
Proems Beginnings p. 161
Exordium Preface ibidem
Predication, Predicated Denomination or naming p. 165
Reciprocal Interchangeable p. 167
Suspension Abstension or withholding p. 167
Secluding Or shut out ibidem
Proselytes Followers p. 174
Intensively The inward virtue of a thing; extensively are outward acts of a thing p. 176
Aberration Erring p. 177
Classes The lesser meeting p. 179
Synods The greater meeting ibidem Ecumenical Universal ibidem
Consubstantiation The being of two substances together p. 184 Tropes A translation of the signification of words p. 185
Delegated Appointed p. 189
Lesbian Crooked [i.e. an irregular shape] p. 199
Ethics Manners p. 200
Mediocrity The mean p. 206
Specific The same in kind ibidem
Ens incomplexum A simple being p. 222
Specificative That makes diverse kinds p. 223
Implicit Unexpressed p. 224
Explicit Expressed ibidem Appreciatively Valuably p. 235
Compellation 4 Naming or calling p. 242
Sympathies The agreement of nature p. 243
Antipathies The disagreement of nature p. 243
Appropriation Applying to one p. 247
Mental In the understanding p. 248
Vocal In word ibidem
Deprecation To pray against p. 250
Anthems Songs ibidem
Impetration Obtaining p. 251
Apprecation Praying for p. 252
Celebration Praising p. 253
Metaphorically The property of one thing is translated to another p. 255
Promissory Promising ibidem
Assertory Affirming p. 257
Candidly Ingenuously [i.e. openly, not devious] p. 258
Spontaneous Willingly p. 259
Exorcisms Conjuration p. 260
Indefinite Unlimited ibidem
Fortuitous Casual ibidem
Conjecture Guess p. 261
Pertinacious Obstinate [stubborn] p. 265
Monomachies Duels p. 268
Accurate Perfect p. 271
Redundancy Abounding ibidem Detraction Slander p. 272
Iotaes Tittles5 ibidem
Subjectively In this place, terminated p. 275
Objectively Referred by ibidem
Idolothites Things offered to idols p. 276
Situation Seating p. 280
Prolepsis, anticipation The declaring of a thing that will be done afterward p. 283
Polygamy Many marriages p. 285
Adumbration Shadowing p. 288
Judicial The Laws for the Common-Wealth p. 289
Allegorically Figuratively p. 295
Concession Granting ibidem
Mechanical Handiwork p. 301
Disparity Inequality ibidem
Emendative Correcting p. 307
Cummutative Changing ibidem
Criminal Faulty ibidem
Parsimony Sparing [frugal] p. 328
Pedagogy Childhood [instruction of a child] p. 289
Accommodation Fitting p. 289
ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS
Dr. Ames also uses terms of LOGIC when speaking about causes. In Aristotelian logic there are four causes of change in the world: material, formal, efficient and final.
1. The material cause, p. [31], par 6. is what something is made of – wood burns quickly because of its material.
2. The formal cause, p. [34], par 30, is what makes something one thing rather than another, as a result of its properties, functions, and particular arrangement – a log is wood, and a table is wood, but because of their properties and arrangement, they are different. Moreover, the log may be readily changed into a table, but the table cannot be turned back into a log, because of their characteristic properties and arrangements.
The Schoolmen (Thomas Aquinas in particular) made a distinction in this formal cause, and added the exemplary cause, which is the idea, plan, or design giving rise to those identifying traits; a table design may provide for four legs, or a single pedestal. Dr. Ames uses this term on p. [24], thesis 13.
3. The efficient cause, p. [30], thesis 50, is what actually produces the change or effect. It explains what did that, but not how it was done; a saw would be an efficient cause in making a table. He calls it the principal cause on p. [128], thesis 26.
4. The final cause is why efficient causes do what they do, and why formal causes do what they do; it is related to a thing’s purpose or its relation to other things; the final cause of a table might be to have someplace to eat. Ames does not specifically use this term, but the concept will be found throughout his book.
Dr. Ames adds to this growing list, the administering cause, page [128], thesis 27. There he means the cause of the application of new life – which is Faith; faith is the means by which we receive new life. “Without Faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) But because faith is a quality of the heart and mind, it might be considered a material cause. Whatever the term used, the meaning seems clear enough. In the example of a wooden table, this would be equivalent to applying varnish to show off the life and beauty of the wood.
One last definition: Affection. Victor Shepherd6 writes, “Affection is a felt response to an object called forth by an understanding of the nature of the object. Plainly, where there’s no understanding there can be no affection, regardless of how much emotion is present.” Affections differ from passions in that they do not overpower and captivate the will. “Whereas passion enslaves the will, affection is an exercise of the will.”