Chap. I. ANTIENT INI ET APH YS ICS. 235 



Without a total change of our Species^ it iiuiji come to an end, — 

 Proof from Scripture^ that the Latter Days, therein mentioned, are 

 not far of. 



IN the whole ccurfe of this work I have fuppofed that tliere will 

 be an end of the civilifed life, and a chan(z;e of this fcene of man, 

 in not very many generations. In this book I propoie to prove this, 

 both by arguments, from the nature of the thing, and from fads 

 >.vhica tlie hiitory of man furnilhes : And, if i can accomplilh this, 

 I think I may fay tliat 1 have given a compleat hiftory of man; frrll, 

 fhowing how he began to be a man, properly fo called, that is a 

 creature of intelledt and fcience, not in capacity merely but a£ltially\ 

 and then how, after the many changes he has gone through in this 

 life, lie is to go to another. And thus I fhall have fhov/n both the 

 beginning and end of man in this life. 



I will begin with the arguments from the nature of the thing, or 

 a priori, as it is called. Thefe, if well founded and properly con- 

 ducted, make what is called demonf ration, which always proceeds 

 a priori, that is from principles to confequences. Now, I lay it 

 down as a principle, that God is wife and good, and confequendy 

 that he has allotted to every animal an economy and manner of life 

 beft fuited to his nature, and which will preferve him longer in 

 health and ftrength than any other manner of life. That this is the 

 cafe of other animals, has never, I believe, been dilputed. Now^ 

 we cannot fuppofe that man is an exception from this general law of 

 nature : And that he has invented another manner of life for him- 

 felf, better than that which God has allotted him, that is more con- 

 ducive to his health, ftrength, and longevity, is, I think, impious to 

 maintain. That the civilifed life of man, when he is clothed, houled, 

 ufes fire, eats flefh, and flefli cooked and prepared by fire, drinks wine, 



G g 2 too. 



