Volume 1

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:: 1690

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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$to The Theory of the Barth Boox lil. μι] I will only add one remark more, before we leave wl this Subject, to prevent a miftake in the-word Immor- __ Ii tal or Immortality, when applyed to the World. As 110 το] you before, the equivocation that was in that | gs term World, it being usd fometimes forthe whole be he Univerfe, fometimes for this infertour part of ic — fll where we live; fo likewife we muft obferve, thae pall when this inferiour World is {aid to be immortal, by «itll the Philofophers, as fometimes it is, that commonly this’ is not meant of any fingle ftate of Nature, or any — wlett fingle World, but of a fucceffion of Worlds, confe- mt quent one upon another. As a family may be faid file immortal, not in any fingle perfon, But in a fucceffi- ὀ ἠ ΦὈ' on of Heirs. So as; many times, when the Ancients and τ mention the immortality of the World, they do not lite thereby exclude the Diffolution or Renovation of it: ΑΕ but fuppofe a viciffitude, or ferics of Worlds fuc- Δ ceeding one another. This obfervation is not mine, fil but was long. fince made by Simplicius, Stobeus, and onthy others, who tell:us in what fenfe fome of thofe Phi- of th lofophers who allowed the World to be perifhable, thera did yet affitm it to beimmortal: namely, by fucceffive Dilco renovations. ΕΠ Thus much is fufficient to {πεν the fence and judg- or tan ment of Antiquity, as to the changeablenefs or per ὀ genera petuity of the World. But ancient learning is like | ina ancient Medals, more efteemed for their rarity, than mets their real ufe; unlefs the Authority of a Prince make for co them currant. So neither will thefe teftimonies be onelp of any great effect, unlefs they be made good and πὸ valuable by the Authority of Scripture. We muft | (i therefore add the Teftimonies of the Prophets and ἮΝ Apoftles to thefe of the Greeks and Barbarians, that neat the evidence may be full and undeniable. That the Ν (eavens and the Earth will perifh or be chang’d in- ἰκ to another form, is, fometimes, plainly expreft, fome- i) , times fuppofed and alluded to -in Scripture. The ἮΝ Prophet David’s teftimony is exprefs, both for the | iy beginning and ending of the World: in the 102. ἴων νά, 35,56, Palm, Of old haft thou laid the foundation of the Earth, | |). i 23 and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They fbak | i per ifb, but thou fhalt endure: yea, all of them hall τ$