( 124 ) 
more than the Contemplation of the EffeCls of fuel 
a Choc as might poffibly, and not improbably, hav< 
befallen this Lump of Earth and Water inTimes where 
of we have no manner of Tradition, as being befor< 
the firft Production of Man, and therefore not know- 
able but by Revelation, or elfe apofteriori by Induction 
from a convenient Number of Experiments or Obfer- 
vations, arguing fuch an Agitation once, or ofrner, to 
have befallen the Materials of this Globe. And per- 
haps, in due Periods of Time, fuch a Cataftrophe may 
not be unneceftary for the well-being of the future 
World; to bury deep from the Surface thofe Parts, 
which by length of time are indurated into Itony Sub- 
fiances, and become unapt for vegetable Production, 
by which all Animals are either immediately or medi- 
ately fuftained : the ponderous Matter in fuch a Mix- 
ture fubfiding firft, and the lighter and finer Mould 
remaining for the latter Settling, to invert the exterior 
Surface of the New World. This may, perhaps, be 
thought hard, to dertroy the whole Race for the Bene- 
fit of thofe that are to fucceed. But if we confider 
Death fimply,and how that the Life of each Individual 
is but of a very fmall Duration, it will be found that 
as to thofe that die, it is indifferent whether they die 
in a Peftilence out of 100000 per Ann. or ordinarily out 
of 2.5000 in this great City, the Peftilence only appear- 
ing terrible to thofe that furvive to contemplate the 
Danger they have cfcaped. Befides, as Seneca has it. 
Vita eft avidus quifquis non vult 
Mundo fecum pereunte mori. 
N. B. 
