Synonyms for antecedence

The chief principle, then, of savage science is that antecedence and consequence in time are the same as effect and cause.

God has established an order in nature, a uniformity of antecedence and sequence, with which Omnipotence shall not interfere.

Respecting the phenomena of inanimate nature, we have no other direct knowledge than that of antecedence and sequence.

Or do 'states of consciousness enter as links into the chain of antecedence and sequence which gives rise to bodily actions?'