The theory of the earth : containing an account of the original of the earth, and of all the general changes which it hath already undergone, or is to undergo till the consummation of all things. The two last books, concerning the burning of the world, and concerning the new heavens and new earth.

  • Burnet, Thomas, 1635?-1715. Telluris theoria sacra
Date:
1697
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The theory of the earth : containing an account of the original of the earth, and of all the general changes which it hath already undergone, or is to undergo till the consummation of all things. The two last books, concerning the burning of the world, and concerning the new heavens and new earth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    A OF THE E O R Y OF THE R E T H TO take a review of this Theory of the Earth, which we have now finiih’d, We muft confider, firft, the extent of it: and then the principal parts whereof it confifts. It reaches, as you fee, from one end of the World to the other: From the firft Chaos to the laft day, and the Confummation of all things. This, probably, will run the length of Seven Thoufand Years; which is a good competent fpace of time to exercife our Thoughts upon, and to obferve the feveral Scenes which Nature and Provi- deuce bring into View within thecompafs of fo many Ages. • The matter and principal parts of this Theory, are fuch things as are recorded in Scripture. We do not feign a Subject, and thende- fcant upon it, for diverfion ·, but endeavour to give an intelligible and rational account of fuch matters of Fad, pail: or future, as are there fpecifi’d and declar’d. What it hath feem’d good to the Holy Ghoft to communicate to us, by Hiftory or Prophecy, concerning the feveral States and general Changes of this Earth, makes the A1> gument of our Difcourfe. Therefore the things themfelves muft be taken for granted, in one fence or other: feeing befides all other proofs, they have the Authority of a Revelation·, and our bufinefs is only to give fuch an explication of them, as ihall approve it felf to the faculties of Man, and be conformable to Scripture. We will therefore firft fet down the things themfelves, that make the fubjed matter of this Theory; and remind you of our explica- tion of them. Then recoiled: the general proofs of that explication, from Reafon and Nature: but more fully and particularly fhew how it is grounded upon Scripture. The primary Phenomena whereof we are to give an account, are thefe Five or Six. L The original of the Earth from a Chaos. II. 1The ft ate of Paradife, and the Ante-diluvian World־ III. jthe Univerfal Deluge. IV. The Univerfal Conflagration. V. The Renovation of the World, or the ]Shew Heavens and New Earths VI. The Confummation of all things.