Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/24

 would be no Objection at all; and Mankind might still be supposed to improve, even though in some Particulars they should go back, and fall short of the Perfection which once they had.

There is no Question but these Excellencies of the Ancients might be accounted for, without hurting the Account given by Moses, by resolving them into a particular Force of Genius, evidently discernable in former Ages, but extinct long since. But this seemed to be of very ill Consequence, since it did, as it were, suppose that Nature were now worn out, and spent; and so mi↗ght tempt a Libertine to think that Men, like Mushrooms, sprung out of the Earth when it was fresh and vigorous, impregnated with proper Seminal Atoms, now, of many Ages, no longer seen.

When nothing therefore seemed so likely to take off the Force of