The Roommate From Hell

374: I heard this with some wonder, & must confess my own conviction.

375: After dinner I ask’d Isaiah to favour the world with his lost works, he said none of equal value was lost.

376: Ezekiel said the same of his.

377: I also asked Isaiah what made him go naked and barefoot three years?

378: he answer’d, the same that made our friend Diogenes the Grecian.

379: I then asked Ezekiel, why he eat dung, & lay so long on his right & left side?

380: he answer’d, the desire of raising other men into a perception of the infinite;

381: this the North American tribes practise, & is he honest who resists his genius or conscience only for the sake of present ease or gratification?

382: The ancient tradition that the world will be consumed in fire at the end of six thousand years is true, as I have heard from Hell.

383: For the cherub with his flaming sword is hereby commanded to leave his guard at tree of life,

384: and when he does, the whole creation will be consumed,