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 THE SIXTH BOOK:

THE PARTICULAR PART CONTINUED.

OF POPULAR AND RECEIVED TENETS, COSMOGRAPHICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL,

AND HISTORICAL.

CHAPTER I.

the beginning of the World, that the time thereof is not precisely known, as commonly it is presumed. Concerning the world and its temporal circumscriptions, whoever shall strictly examine both extremes, will easily perceive, there is not only obscurity in its end, but its beginning; that as its period is inscrutable, so is its nativity indeterminable; that as it is presumption to enquire after the one, so is there no rest or satisfactory decision in the other. And hereunto we shall more readily assent, if we examine the information, and take a view of the several difficulties in this point; which we shall more easily do, if we consider the different conceits of men, and duly perpend the imperfections of their discoveries.

And first, the histories of the Gentiles afford us slender satisfaction, nor can they relate any story, or affix a probable point to its beginning, 1 For some thereof (and those of the wisest amongst them) are so far from determining its beginning, that they opinion and maintain it never had any at all; as the doctrine of Epicurus implieth, and more positively

1 its beginning.] The beginning of the world.