ought to be the subject of a Philosophick History of the
World, which we mention'd before.
This is a short and general Scheme of the Primæval World, compar'd with the Modern; yet these
things did not equally run through all the Parts and
Ages of it, there was a declension and degeneracy,
both Natural and Moral, by degrees, and especially
towards the latter end; but the principal form of Nature remaining till the Deluge and the dissolution of
that Heavens and Earth, till then also this Civil frame
of things would stand in a great measure. And
though such a state of Nature, and of Mankind, when
'tis propos'd crudely, and without its grounds, appear
fabulous or imaginary, yet 'tis really in it self a state,
not only possible, but more casie and natural, than
what the World is in at present. And if one of the old
Ante-diluvian Patriarchs should rise from the dead, he
would be more surpris'd to see our World in that posture it is, than we can be by the story and description of his. As an Indian hath more reason to wonder at the European modes, than we have to wonder
at their plain manner of living. 'Tis we that have
left the tract of Nature, that are wrought and screw'd
up into artifices, that have disguis'd our selves; and
'tis in our World that the Scenes are chang'd, and
become more strange and Fantastical.
I will conclude this Discourse with an easie remark,
and without any particular Application of it. 'Tis a
strange power that custom hath upon weak and little
Spirits; whose Thoughts reach no further than their
Senses; and what they have seen and been us'd to,
they make the standard and measure of Nature, of
Reason, and of all Decorum. Neither are there any
sort of men more positive and tenacious of their petty
opinions, than they are; nor more censorious, even
to bitterness and malice. And 'tis generally so, that
those that have the least evidence for the truth of
their beloved opinions, are most peevish and impatient in the defence of them. This sort of men are the
last that will be made wise men, if ever they be; for
they have the worst of diseases that accompany ignorance, and do not so much as know themselves to be
sick.
