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 of Antiquity which are blended and confounded with Hitory, and fix an uncertain Chronology. 'Tis true, that there is no Family, City or Nation, but endeavours to remove its Original as far backward as poible, Beides, the firt Hitorians were the mot negligent in etting down the Æra's; Books, were infinitely les common than they are at this Time, and conequently Authors being not o obnoxious to Cenure, they therefore impos'd upon the World with greater Impunity; and as 'tis evident that thee have related a great Number of fictitious Particulars, 'tis probable enough that they alo gave us everal fale Æra's. appear'd in general to Sir Iaac, that the World was five hundred Years younger than Chronologers declare it to be. He grounds his Opinion on the ordinary Coure of Nature, and on the Obervations which Atronomers have made.

the Coure of Nature we here undertand the Time that every ration