Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with…

And the constant revolution of Day and Night in the space of twenty four hours is of great benefit. If they should continue six entire Months together, as under the Poles, though their space would be equal in the compass of the Year as now, yet with public disadvantage. The ⟨p. 12⟩shining of the Sun without intermission, would be very hurtful to the Earth, and to its Inhabitants. And its long absence would cause equal mischiefs by contrary qualities. For the nature of Man and other living Creatures cannot subsist long in travail without repairing their decays by rest. Now the succession of Day and Night in that space, fitly tempers their labour and repose. After the toilsome service of the Day, the Sun retires behind the Earth, and the Night procures a truce from business, unbends the World, and invites to rest in its deep silence and tranquillity. And by sleep, when the animal operations cease, the Spirits that were much consumed in the service of the senses, are renewed, and ⟨p. 13⟩united in assistance to the vital faculties, the Body is restored, and at the springing Day made fresh and active for new labour. So that the wisdom of the Creator is as visible in the manner of this dispensation, as the thing it self. And 'tis an observable point of Providence in ordering the length and shortness of Days and Nights for the good of the several parts of the World. Under the Equinoctial Line the Earth being parched by the direct beams of the Sun, the nights are regularly twelve hours through the Year, fresh and moist to remedy that inconvenience: On the contrary, in the northern parts, where there is a fainter reflection of its Beams, the Days are very long, that the Sun may supply by its continuance, ⟨p. 14⟩what is defective in its vigour to ripen the fruits of the Earth.

And the constant revolution of Day and Night in the space of twenty four hours is of great benefit. If they should continue six entire Months together, as under the Poles, though their space would be equal in the compass of the Year as now, yet with publick disadvantage. The ⟨p. 12⟩shining of the Sun without intermission, would be very hurtful to the Earth, and to its Inhabitants. And its long absence would cause equal mischeifs by contrary qualities. For the nature of Man and other living Creatures cannot subsist long in travail without repairing their decays by rest. Now the succession of Day and Night in that space, fitly tempers their labour and repose. After the toilsom service of the Day, the Sun retires behind the Earth, and the Night procures a truce from business, unbends the World, and invites to rest in its deep silence and tranquillity. And by sleep, when the animal operations cease, the Spirits that were much consum'd in the service of the senses, are renewed, and