[CHAP. III. Of the Births and Deaths of the Heavenly World.]
The Fifth Argument was, Whether there could be Births and Deaths in the Happy World?
Some Parts of my Mind were of opinion, That if there was so Regular a World, as that there were no Irregularities in it, there could not be Deaths: for, Death was a Dissolution; and if there was no Death, there could be no Birth, or Production: for, if any particular sort of Creatures should Encrease, and never dissolve, they would become Infinite; which every particular kind or sort of Creatures, may be, for time, and be Eternal; as also, be Infinite for Number; because, as some dissolve, others are produced. And so, if particular sorts or kinds of Creatures, be Eternal; the particular Production and Dissolution, is Infinite: but, if any Sort, or Kind, should encrease, without decrease, not any particular World could contain them: As for example, If all the Human Creatures that have been produced from our Father Adam, (which hath not been above Six thousand years) should be alive, this World could not contain them; much less, if this World, and the Human sorts of Creatures, had been of a longer date. And besides, if there should be a greater Encrease, by the Number of Human Creatures: in truth, the numerous Encrease, would have caused Mankind, in the space of Six thousand years, to be almost Infinite.
But, the Minor Parts of my Mind was of opinion, That then the Happy World could not be so perfectly Regular, if there was Death.
The Major Part's opinion was, That some sorts of Deaths were as regular, as the most Regular Births: for, though Diseases were caused by Irregular Actions, yet, Death was not: for, as it is not Irregular, to be old; so it is not Irregular, to dye. But, this Argument broke off for that time.
[CHAP. IV. Whether those Creatures could be named Blessed, that are subject to dye.]
The Sixth Argument was, Whether those Creatures could be called Blessed, or Happy, that are subject to dye?
The Major Parts of my Mind was of opinion, That, if Death was as free from Irregularities, as Birth; then it was as happy to Dye, as to be Born.