As the distinction between matter and force has its origin in time, so it will also have an end in time. [342] Matter which primary Being has separated from itself to form its body is being gradually resolved into primary Being again; so that, at the end of the present course of things, a general conflagration of the world will restore all things to their original form, in which everything derivative will have ceased to exist, and pure Deity, or primary fire, will alone remain in its original purity. [343] This resolution of the world into fire or ether, [344] the Stoics thought, would take place, through the same intermediate stages as its generation from the primary fire. [345] Cleanthes, following his peculiar view as to the seat of the governing [346] force in the world, supposed that its destruction would come from the sun. [347] [(3) Cycles in the world’s course.] No sooner, however, will everything have returned to its original unity, [348] and the course of the world have come to an end, than the formation of a new world will begin, [349] so exactly corresponding with the previous world that every particular thing, every particular person, and every occurrence will recur in it, [350] precisely as they occurred in the world preceding. Hence the history of the world and of Deity—as, indeed, with the eternity of matter and acting force, must necessarily be the case—revolves in an endless cycle through exactly the same stages. [351] Still there were not wanting, even in comparatively early times, members of the Stoic School who entertained doubts on this teaching; and among the most distinguished of the later Stoics some gave it up altogether. [352] Besides the periodical destruction by fire, periodical destructions by floods [353] were also assumed; there being, however, a difference of opinion as to whether the whole universe, or only the earth and its inhabitants, were subject to these floods. [354] [B. Government of the world.] [(1) Nature of Destiny.] [(a) Destiny as Providence.]