Chap.IX. ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. 315- 



G H A P. IX. 



^he cofttmual decreafe of the numbers of men^ from the earUeJl times ^ 

 wuji end in their extindion, — The extinction of particular families 

 proved : — jind nations^ being compofed of families^ mujl end with 

 them. — hiflances of nations being extinguifljed \fuch as many nations 

 that w^re^ ofold^ in Italy ^ andfuch as the ajitient Egyptian nation. 

 — The unnatural life of man in the civilized Jlate^ and the vices 

 ^and difcafes it produces., the caufe of this extindtion : — The filence of 

 antient authors on this fubjeEi accounted for :-^—Some of them main- 

 tained that a renovation of things was to take place, — Uncertain^ 

 if a calculation of the time of the extin£iion of the fpecies can be 

 made, — Jn end of this fcene of things^ a doElrine of Chrifiianity ; 

 a7id the chief end of the mijjion of Jefus Chriji to reveal it to men^ 

 . and to perfuade them to prepare for the world to come : — Proof of 

 ■this from Scripture. — Agreement of hiflory with revelation. — Our 

 prefeiit mifery notfo much the fjortnefs of our lives as the length of 

 our deaths. — Revealed to us^ that a lingering death of the fpecies is 

 to be prevented by fome convulfion in nature. — No necejfity for fuppof 

 ing tlJe convulfion general :—It may happen in different countries at 

 different times: — h fiances of this from antient and modern hiflory. — 

 The good nefs of God reconciled with the mifery of man in civility. — 

 An end of man as well as of his works. — Cone It ft on of this valumt. 



R r 2 FnoM 



