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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    the other from the Fall of it into the Abyfs. And tho’ we had not been made acquainted with thefe things by Antiquity, we might, in contemplation of the Caufes, have truly conceiv’d them, as pro- perties or incidents to theFirft Earth. But as to the Deluge, I do not fay, that we. might have calculated the Time, manner, and other circumftances of it: Thefe things were regulated by Providence, in fubnrdination to the Moral World. But that there would be, at one time or o her, a difruption of that Earth, or of the Great Abyfs : and in confequer.ce of it, an univerfal Deluge : So far, I think, the light of a Theory might carry us. Furthermore, In confequence of this difruption of the Primeval Thor. Book 3. Earth, at the Deluge, the prefent Earth was made hollow and ca- ώ. 7, 0* 8. vernous. and by that means, (due preparations being ufed) capable of Combuflion, or of periihing by an univerfal Fire : Yet,to fpeak in- genuouily, This is as hard a ftep to be made, in vertue of Natural caufes, as any in the whole Theory. But in recompence of that de- fed:, the Conflagration is fo plainly and literally taught us in Scrip- ture, and avow’d by Antiquity, that it can fail under no d.fpute, as to the thing it felf. And as to a capacity or difpoiition to it in the prefent Earth, that I think is fufliciently made out. Then, the Conflagration admitted, in that way it is explain’d in the Thud Book: The Earth, you fee, is, by that fire, reduc’d to a fecond Chaos. >A Chaos truly fo call’d. And from that, as from the Flrft, arifes another Creation, or New Heavens and a New Earth 3 By the fame caufes, and in the fame form, with the Paradiiiacal. This is the Renovation of the World : The Reftitution of all things : men- tioned both by Scripture and Antiquity : And by the Prophet Jfaiah, St. Peter and St. John, call’d the New Heavens and New Earth. With this, as the ]aft period, and moil glorious Scene of all humane af- fairs, our Theory concludes, as to this method of Caufes, whereof we are now fpeaking. I fay, here it ends as to the method of Caufes. For tho’ we purfue the Earth ftill further* even to its laft Diflolution : which is call’d the Confummation of all things: yet all, that we have fuperadded upon that ©ccaiion, is but Problematical: and may, without preiu- dice to the Theory, be argued and difputed on either hand. I do not know, but that our conjectures there may be well grounded : but however, not fpringing fo direCtly from the fame root, or, at leaft, not by ways, fo clear and viiible, Ϊ leave that part undecided. Efpecially feeing we pretend to write no more than the Theory of the Earth, and therefore as we begin no higher than the Chaos, fo we are not obliged to go any further than to the laft ftate of a Ter- reftrial confiftency : which is that of the New Heavens and the New Earth. This is the firft natural proof, From the order of Caufes. The fe- condfisfom the coniideration of EtfeCis. Namely of fuch effeCls as are already in being. And therefore this proof can extend only to that part ot the Theory, that explains the prefent and paft form and Phenomena of the Earth. What is Future, muft be left to a fur- ther trial, when the things come to pafs, and prefent themfelves to be examin’d and compar’d with the Hypothecs. As to the prefent Form