The Seventh Argument was, of Productions of the Creatures of the
Regular World, _viz. Whether their Productions were frequent, or not?_
The Minor Part's Opinion, was, That they were frequent.
The Major Part's Opinion, was, That they were not _frequent_, or
_numerous_, by reason the World was Regular, and so all the Productions
or Generations, were Regular; but could not exceed such a Number as
was, regularly, sufficient for a World, of such a Dimension as the
Regular World; and according to the Dimensions, must the Society or
Creatures be, let them be large or little.
CHAP. VI. Whether the Creatures in the Blessed World, do Feed, and
Evacuate.
The Eighth Argument, was, _Whether the Blessed Humans, in the Happy
World, did Eat, and Evacuate?_
They agreed, That, if they did feed, they must evacuate.
Then there was a Dispute, _Whether those Happy Creatures did eat?_
They all agreed, That, if they were Natural Human Creatures, they had
Natural Appetites: but, by reason there were no Irregularities in
this World, the Human Creatures had not any Irregular Appetites, nor
Irregular Digestions; Irregular Passions, or Irregular Pastimes.
Then there arose a Dispute, _Whether those Blessed Creatures did sleep?_
Some were of opinion, They did not sleep: for, Sleep was occasioned
through a weariness of the Sensitive Organs, making perceptions of
Forrein Objects; and all Weariness, or Tiredness, was Irregular.
The Major part of my Mind, was of a contrary Opinion; because the
delight of Nature, is in Variety: and therefore, Regular Sleeps were
delightful.
The Minor was of opinion, That Sleep was like Death, and therefore it
could not be Happy.
But, at last, they did conclude, That Sleep, being a soft and quiet
Repose, (as being retired from all Actions concerning Forrein Parts,
and had only Actions at Home, and of private Affairs; and that all the
Parts of Body and Mind, were then most sociable amongst themselves)
that the Blessed Humans did sleep.
CHAP. VII. Of the Animals, and of the Food of the Humans of the Happy
World.
The Ninth Argument, was, _Whether there were all sorts of Animals in
the Regular World?_ All the Parts of my Mind agreed, That if there were
such Creatures as Human Creatures, it was probable there was other
Animal Creatures: but, by reason there was no Irregularities, there
could not be Cruel or Ravenous Animal Creatures: for, a Lyon, Leopard,
or Wolf, in that World, would be as harmless as a Sheep in this; and
all Kites, Hawks, and the like ravenous Birds, would be as harmless as
those Birds that only feed on the Berries, and Fruit of the Earth.
CHAP. VIII. Whether it is not Irregular, for one Creature to feed on
another.
The Tenth Argument was, _Whether it was not Irregular, for one Creature
to feed on another?_
Some were of opinion, That it was natural for one Creature to subsist
by another, and to assist each other; but not cruelly to destroy each
other.
Upon this Argument, the Parts of my Mind divided into a Minor and a
Major part.
The Minor Part's opinion, was, That, since all the Creatures in Nature,
had Life; then, all Creatures that did feed, did destroy each other's
Life.
The Major Part's Opinion, was, That they might be assisted by the
Lives of other Creatures, and not destroy their Lives: for, Life could
not be destroyed, though Lives might be occasionally alter'd: but,
some Creatures may assist other Creatures, without destruction or
dissolution of their Society: as for example, The Fruits and Leaves
of Vegetables, are but the Humorous Parts of Vegetables, because they
are divisible, and can encrease and decrease, without any dissolution
of their Society; that is, without the dissolution of the Plant. Also,
Milk of Animals, is a superfluous Humor of Animals: and, to prove it to
be a superfluous Humor, I alledg, That much of it oppresses an Animal.
The same I say of the Fruits and Leaves of many sorts of Vegetable
Creatures. Besides, it is natural for such sorts of Creatures to have
their Fruits and Leaves to divide from the Stock.
The Minor Part's Opinion, was, That the Milk of Animals, and the Fruits
of Vegetables, and the Herbs of the Earth, had as much Life as their
Producers.
The Major Part's Opinion, was, That though they had as much Life as
their Producers; yet, it was natural for such off-springs to change and
alter their Lives, by being united to other sorts of Creatures: as for
example, An Animal eats Fruit and Herbs; and those Fruits and Herbs
convert themselves into the nature of those Animals that feed of them.
The same is of Milk, Eggs, and the like; out of which, a condition
of Life is endeavoured for: and, for proof, such sorts of Creatures
account an Animal Life the best; and therefore, all such superfluous
Parts of Creatures, endeavour to unite into an Animal Society; as we
may perceive, that Fruits and Herbs, are apt to turn into Worms, and
Flies; and some Parts of Milk, as Cheese, will turn into Maggots; so
that when Animals feed of such Meats, they occasion those Parts they
feed on, to a more easie Transformation; and not only such Creatures,
but Humans also, desire a better Change: for, what Human would not be a
glorious Sun, or Starr?
After which Discourse, all the Parts of my Mind agreed unanimously,
That Animals, and so Human Creatures, might feed on such sorts of Food,
as aforesaid; but not on such Food as is an united Society: for, the
Root and Foundation of any kind and sort of Creature, ought not to be
destroyed.
CHAP. IX. Of the Continuance of Life in the Regular World.
The Opinion of the Parts of my Mind, was, That, it was probable, that
all Societies in the Regular World, (that is, all such Parts of Nature
as are united into particular Creatures) are of long life, by reason
there are no Irregularities to destroy them, before their natural time.
But then a Dispute was raised amongst the Parts of my Mind, concerning
the natural time, that is, the proper time of the Lives of those
Creatures: for, all Creatures were not of the same time of Production;
nor, after their Production, of the same time of Continuance. But
the Parts of my Mind concluded, That though they could not judg by
observation of any Creature, no, not of their own Sort; yet, they did
believe they could judg better of Human Creatures, as being, at that
time, of a Human Society, than of any other: but, by reason they were
of this World (that is, Irregular in part) they did believe they might
very much err in their Judgment, concerning the continuance of Human
Lives, in the _Happy World_. But, after much debate, they concluded,
That a Human Creature, in the Regular World, might last as long as the
Productions did not oppress or burden that World, (for that would be
irregular) but how long a time that might be, they could not possibly
conceive or imagine.
CHAP. IX. Of the Excellency and Happiness of the Creatures of the
Regular World.
The Parts of my Mind could not possibly, being Parts of a Purgatory
World, conceive the happy condition of all Creatures in the Regular
World; but only, conceiving there was no Irregularities, they did also
conceive, that all Creatures there, must be in perfection; and that
the Elemental Creatures were purer, without drossie mixtures; so that
their Earth must needs be so fruitful, that it produces all sorts of
excellent Vegetables, without the help of Art; and their Minerals
as pure, as all sorts of Stone that are transparent, and as hard as
Diamonds; the Gold and Silver, more pure than that which is refined in
our World. The truth is, that, in their Opinions, the meanest sorts of
Metal in the Regular World, were more pure than the richest sort in
this World: so that then, their richest Metal must be as far beyond
ours, as our Gold is beyond our Iron, or Lead. As for the Elemental
Waters in the Regular World, they must be extraordinary smooth, clear,
flowing, fresh, and sweet; and the Elemental Air only, a most pure,
clear, and glorious Light; so that there could be no need of a Sun:
and, by reason all the Air was a Light, there could be no Darkness; and
so, no need of a Moon, or Starrs. The Elemental Fire, although it was
Hot, yet it was not Burning. Also, there could neither be scorching
Heats, nor freezing Colds, Storms, nor Tempest: for, all Excess is
irregular. Neither could there be Clouds, because no Vapours. But,
not to be tedious; it was my Mind's Opinion, That all the Parts of
the Happy World, being Regular, they could not obstruct each other's
Designs or Actions; which might be a cause, that both the Sensitive
and Rational Parts may not only make their Societies more curious, and
their Perceptions more perfect; but their Perceptions more subtile:
for, all the actions of that World being Regular, must needs be exact
and perfect; in so much, that every Creature is a perfect Object to
each other; and so every Creature must have, in some sort, a perfect
Knowledg of each other.
CHAP. XI. Of Human Creatures in the Regular World.
The Opinion of my Mind, was, That the _Happy World_, having no
Irregularities, all Creatures must needs be Excellent, and most
Perfect, according to their Kind and Sort; amongst which, are Human
Creatures, whose Kinds, or Sorts, being of the Best, must be more
excellent than the rest, being Exactly formed, and Beautifully
produced: there being, also, no Irregularities, Human Creatures
cannot be subject to Pains, Sickness, Aversions, or the like; or, to
Trepidations, or Troubles; neither can their Appetites, or Passions,
be irregular: wherefore, their Understanding is more clear, their
Judgments more poysed: and by reason their Food is Pure, it must be
Delicious, as being most tastable: also, it must be wholsome, and
nourishing; which occasions the Parts of Body and Mind, to be more
Lively and Pleasant.
CHAP. XII. Of the Happiness of Human Creatures in the Material World.
The Happiness that Human Creatures have in the _Regular World_, is,
That they are free from any kind or sort of Disturbance, by reason
there are
no Irregular Actions; and so, no Pride, Ambition, Faction, Malice,
Envy, Suspition, Jealousie, Spight, Anger, Covetousness, Hatred, or the
like; all which, are Irregular Actions among the Rational Parts: which
occasions Treachery, Slander, false Accusations, Quarrels, Divisions,
Warr, and Destruction; which proceeds from the Irregularities of the
Sensitive Parts, occasioned by the Rational, by reason the Sense
executes the Mind's Designs: but, there are no Plots or Intrigues,
neither in their State, nor upon their Stage; because, though they may
act the parts of Harmless Pleasures; yet, not of Deceitful Designs:
for, all Human Creatures, live in the Regular World, so united, that
all the particular Human Societies, (which are particular Human
Creatures) live as if they were but one Soul, and Body; that is,
as if they were but one Part, or particular Creature. As for their
pleasures, and pleasant Pastimes; in my opinion, they are such, as not
any Creature can express, unless they were of that World, or Heaven:
for, all kinds and sorts of Creatures, and all their Properties or
Associations, in this World we are of, are mixt; as, partly Irregular;
and partly, Regular; and so it is but a _Purgatory-World_. But surely,
all Human Creatures of that World, are so pleasant and delightful to
each other, as to cause a general Happiness.
The Fourth Part.
CHAP. I. Of the Irregular World.
After the Arguments and Opinions amongst the Parts of my Mind,
concerning a Regular World; their Discourse was, of an _Irregular
World_: Upon which they all agreed, That if there was a World that was
not in any kind or sort, Irregular; there must be a World that was not
in any kind or sort, Regular. But, to conceive those Irregularities
that are in the Irregular World, is impossible; much less, to express
them: for, it is more difficult to express Irregularities, than
Regularities: and what Human Creature of this World, can express a
particular Confusion, much less a World of Confusions?
Which I will, however, endeavour to declare, according to the
Philosophical Opinions of the Parts of my Mind.
CHAP. II. Of the Productions and Dissolutions of the Creatures of the
Irregular World.
According to the Actions of Nature, all Creatures are produced by
the Associations of Parts, into particular Societies, which we name,
_Particular Creatures_: but, the Productions of the Parts of the
Irregular World, are so Irregular, that all Creatures of that World
are Monstrous: neither can there be any orderly or distinct kinds
and sorts; by reason that Order and Distinction, are Regularities.
Wherefore, every particular Creature of that World, hath a monstrous
and different Form; insomuch, that all the several Particulars are
affrighted at the Perception of each other: yet, being Parts of Nature,
they must associate; but, their Associations are after a confused and
perturbed manner, much after the manner of Whirlwinds, or _Aetherial
Globes_, wherein can neither be Order, nor Method: and, after the same
manner as they are produced, so are they dissolved: so that, their
_Births_ and _Deaths_ are _Storms_, and their _Lives_ are _Torments_.
CHAP. III. Of Animals, and of Humans, in the Irregular World.
It has been declared in the former Chapter, _That there was not any
perfect Kind or Sort of Creatures in the Irregular World_: for, though
there be such Creatures as we name Animals; and amongst Animals,
Humans: yet, they are so Monstrous, that, being of confused Shapes, or
Forms, none of those Animal Creatures can be said to be of such, or
such a sort; because they are of different disordered Forms. Also, they
cannot be said to be of a perfect Animal-kind, or any Kind; by reason
of the variety of their Forms: for, those that are of the nature of
Animals, especially of Humans, are the most miserable and unhappy of
all the Creatures of that World; and the Misery is, That Death doth
not help them: for, Nature being a perpetual Motion, there is no rest
either alive or dead. In this World, it's true, some Societies (_viz._
some Creatures) may, sometimes, after their Dissolutions, be united
into more Happy Societies, or Forms; which, in the Irregular World, is
impossible; because all Forms, Creatures, or Societies, are miserable:
so that, after dissolution, those dispersed Parts cannot joyn to any
other Society, but what is as bad as the former; and so those Creatures
may dissolve out of one Misery, and unite into another; but cannot be
released from Misery. Page 284
CHAP. IV. Of Objects, and Perceptions.
The Opinions amongst the Parts of my Mind, were, That in the Unhappy,
or Miserable World, all the actions of that World, being irregular, it
must needs be, that all sorts of Perceptions of that World, must also
be irregular: not only because the Objects are all irregular; but, the
perceptive actions are so too; in such manner, that, what with the
irregularity of the Objects, and the irregularity of the Perceptions,
it must, of necessity, cause a horrid confusion, both of the Sensitive
and Rational Parts of all Creatures of that World, in so much, that not
only several Creatures may appear as several Devils to each other; but,
one and the same Creature may appear, both to the Sense and Reason,
like several Devils, at several times.
CHAP. V. The Description of the Globe of the Irregular World.
The Opinion of my Mind was, That the Globe of the Irregular World was
so irregular, that it was a Horrid World: for though, being a World, it
might be somewhat like other Worlds, both Globous, and a Society of it
self, by its own Parts; and therefore
might have that which we name _Earth, Air, Water_, and _Fire_: but,
for Sun-light, Moon-light, Starr-light, and the like, they are not
parts of the World they appear to; and are Worlds of themselves. But,
there can be no such Appearances in the Irregular World: for, the
Irregularities do obstruct all such Appearances; and the Elemental
Parts (if I may name them so) are as irregular, and therefore as horrid
as can be: so that it is probable, that the Elemental Fire is not a
bright shining Fire, but a dull, dead Fire, which hath the Effects of a
strong Corrosive Fire, which never actually Heats, but actually Burns;
so that some Creatures may both freeze and burn at once. As for the
Earth of that World, it is probable that it is like corrupted Sores,
by reason all Corruptions are produced by Irregular Motions; from
which Corruptions, may proceed such stinking Foggs, as may be as far
beyond the scent of Brimstone, or any the worst of Scents that are in
this World, as _Spanish_ or _Roman_ Perfumes, or Essences, are beyond
the scent of Carion, or _Assafoetida_; which causes all Creatures (of
Airy Substances) that breathe, to be so infected, as to appear like
Poysoned Bodies. As for their Elemental Water, 'tis probable, that it
is as black as Ink, as bitter as Gaul, as sharp as _Aquafortis_, and as
Salt as Brine, mixt irregularly together, by reason the Waters there,
must needs be very troubled Waters. As for the Elemental Air, I shall
declare the Opinion of my Rational Parts, in the following Chapter.
CHAP. VI. Of the Elemental Air, and Light of the Irregular WORLD.
'Tis probable, that the Elemental Air of the Irregular World, is
neither perfectly Dark, nor perfectly Light; for, either would be, in
some part or kind, a Perfection or Regularity: but, being irregular,
it must be a perturbed Air; and, being perturbed, it is probable it
produces several Colours. But, mistake me not, I do not mean such
Colours as are made by perturbed Light; but, such as are made by
perturbed Air: and, through the Excess of Irregularities, may be
Horrid Colours; and, by reason of the _Aetherial_ whirling Motions,
which are Circular Motions, the Air may be of the colour of Blood,
a very horrid Colour to some sorts of Creatures: but 'tis probable,
this Bloody Colour is not of a pure Bloody Colour, but of a corrupted
Bloody Colour: and so the Light of the Irregular World, may, probably,
be of a corrupt Bloody Colour: but, by the several Irregular Motions,
it may be, at several times, of several corrupted Bloody Colours:
and by reason there are no intermissions of _Air_, there can be no
intermissions of this _Light_, in the Irregular World. Page 287
CHAP. VII. Of Storms, and Tempests, in the Irregular World.
As for _Storms_, and _Tempests_, and such irregular Weather, 'tis
probable there are continual Winds and Thunders, caused by the
disturbance of the Air; and those Storms and Tempests, being irregular,
must needs be violent, and therefore very horrid. There may also be
Lightnings, but they are not such as those that are of a fiery colour;
but such as are like the colour of Fire and Blood mixt together. As for
Rain, being occasioned by the Vapours from the Earth and Waters, it
is according as those Vapours gather into Clouds: but, when there is
Thunder, it must needs be violent.
CHAP. VIII. Of the several Seasons, or rather, of the several Tempers
in the Irregular World.
As for _several Seasons_; there can be no constant Season, because
there is no Regularity; but rather, a great Irregularity, and Violence,
in all Tempers and Seasons; for there is no mean Degree: and surely,
their Freezing is as sharp and corroding, as their Corrosive-Burnings;
and it is probable, that the Ice and Snow in that world, are not as in
this world, _viz._ the Ice to be clear, and the Snow white; because
there the water is a troubled, and black water; so that the Snow is
black, and the Ice also black; not clear, or like black polished
Marble; but 'tis probable, that the Snow is like black Wool; and the
Ice, like unpolished black Stone; not for Solidity, but for Colour and
Roughness.
CHAP. IX. The Conclusion of the Irregular and Unhappy or Cursed World.
I have declared in my former Chapter, concerning the _Irregular World_,
That there could not be any exact, or perfect kind or sort, because of
the Irregularities; not that there is not Animal, Vegetable, Mineral,
and Elemental Actions, and so not such Creatures; but, by reason of the
Irregularities, they are strangely mixt and disordered, so that every
Particular seems to be of a different Kind, or sort, being not any ways
like each other; and yet, may have the nature of such Kinds, and Sorts,
by reason they are Natural Creatures, although irregularly Natural:
but, those irregular Natural Creatures, cannot chuse, by the former
Descriptions, but be Unhappy, having, in no sort or kind, Pleasure, or
Ease: and for such Creatures that have such Perceptions as are any way
like ours, they are most Miserable: for, by the Sense of
Touch, they freeze and burn: by the sense of Tast, they have
Nauseousness, and Hunger, being not satisfied: by the sense of Scent,
they are suffocated, by reason of irregular Respiration: by the sense
of Hearing, and sense of Seeing, they have all the horrid Sounds and
Sights, that can be in Nature: the Rational Parts are, as if they were
all distracted or mad; and the Sensitive Parts tormented with Pains,
Aversions, Sicknesses, and Deformities; all which is caused through
the Irregular Actions of the Parts of the Irregular World; so that the
Actions of all sorts of Creatures, are Violent, and Irregular.
But, to conclude: As all the Creatures of our World, were made for the
Benefit of Human Creatures; so, 'tis probable, all the Creatures of the
Irregular World, were produced for the Torment and Confusion of Human
Creatures in that World.
The Fifth Part, Being divided into FIFTEEN SECTIONS.
Concerning Restoring-Beds, or Wombs. I.
At the latter end of my _Philosophical Conceptions_, the Parts of
my Mind grew sad, to think of the dissolving of their Society: for,
the Parts of my Mind are so friendly, that although they do often
Dispute and Argue for Recreation and Delight-sake; yet, they were
never so irregular, as to divide into Parties, like Factious Fellows,
or Unnatural Brethren: which was the reason that they were sad, to
think their kind Society should dissolve, and that their Parts should
be dispersed and united to other Societies, which might not be so
friendly as they were. And, after many several Thoughts, (which are
several Rational Discourses: for, Thoughts are the Language of the
Mind) they fell into a Discourse of _Restoring Beds_, or _Wombs_, viz.
_Whether there might not be Restoring Beds, as well as Producing Beds,
or Breeding Beds_. And, to argue the case, they agreed to divide into
Minor and Major Parts.
II.
The Major Parts of my Mind were of opinion, That there are Beds, or
Wombs, of Restoration, as well as Beds of Production: for, if Nature's
actions be poysed, there must be one, as well as the other.
The Minor Part's Opinion, was, That, as all Creatures were produced, so
all Creatures were subject to dissolve: so that, the poyse of Nature's
Productions, was Nature's Dissolutions, and not Restorations.
The Major Part's Opinion, was, That there are Restorations in Nature:
for, as some dissolved, others united in every kind and sort of
Creature, which was a Restoration to the kinds and sorts of Creatures.
The Minor Part's Opinion, was, That though every
sort and kind of Creatures, continued as the Species of each sort and
kind; yet, they did not continue by such Restorations as they were
arguing about: for though, when some Creatures dye, others of the
same Sort or _Species_, are born or bred; yet, they are Produced,
not restored: for, they conceived, that Restoration was a reviving
and re-uniting the Parts of a Dissolved Society or Creature; which
Restoration was not natural, at least, not usual.
The Major Part's Opinion, was, That Restoration was natural, and usual:
for, there were many things, or Creatures, restored, in some sort,
after they were dead.
The Minor Part's Opinion, was, That some Creatures might be restored
from some Infirmities, or Decays; but, they could not be restored after
they were dissolved, and their Parts dispersed.