the Natural Bifflory Patt li 



fanciful Meri have expeaed nothing 

 but Corifufion and Ruin itom thole 

 very means whereby both that and this 

 is nioft effedually prevented and avoid- 

 ed. One imagines that the terreftrial 

 Matter^ which is fhowered down 

 along with Rain, enlarges the Bulk of 

 the Earth, and that it will in time 

 bury, and lay all things under ground. 

 Another, on the contrary, fancies that 

 the Earth will ere long all be wafli'd 

 away by Rains, and borne down into 

 the Sea by Rivers ; and, its Chanel 

 being thereby quite filled up, the Wa- 

 ters of the Ocean turned forth to over- 

 whelm the dry Land. Whereas by 

 this Diftribution of Matter^ continual^ 

 Frovifion is every where made for the^ 

 fupply of Bodies : the juft ftate of Sea 

 and Land preferved, and the Bounds 

 of each (ecured j quite contrary to the 

 prepofterous Reafonings of thofe Men, 

 who expected fo different a Refult of 

 thefe things. And ihould this Circu- 

 lation (from which they dreaded thofe 

 difmal Confequences) once ceafe, the 

 Formation of Bodies would be imme- 

 diately at an end : and Nature at a 

 perfeQ; ftand. But I am aware ths^c 

 I tranlgrels : and that this is a Prolixity 



HOC 



