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3 6 Of the Caufe of a fejlilence] prepare the Way, as immediately of its lelf deftroy, and of whofe certain Ruin, through whole Regions together, we have too many Teftimonies upon Record, in the Writings both of Ancients and Moderns. A G A I N, the Peftilence is faid to be contagious j becaufe fome are come to that Height of Boldnefs, (being blind with too much Light) to propagate ftrange Con- jectures to the contrary, as if the late Plague was begun and continued by a foreign Influence • but to remove this Controveriie 3 it may be convenient to explain the Na- ture of a Contagion, and its fuppofed Con- ditions of Exertion* yet before I enter upon this, it will be necefTary to difpatch the' other Members of this Definition. IT is further added, that the Plague affe&s many Regions together at the fame Time, in Order to diftinguiih it both from irzdemick Difeafes, that is, fuch as are ap- propriate to one Place only :, and alio from Sfcradick Difeafes, which although they rage amongft the Populace in this or that Country or Climate indifferently, according to the Influence of their procatar&ick Caufes, they are yet to be deemed particular, as well