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.
Date:
1697
Catalogue details

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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    וי z The Theory of the Earth. Book HI. Bat we muil not leave the World in this diforder and confufion, 1 Without examining what will berthe Iifue and confeqiiences cf it. Whether this will be the End of all Things, and Nature by a fad fate, lie eternally diiTolv'd and defolate in this manner: or whe- ther we may hope for a Reftauration : New■ Heavens and a New Earth, which the Holy Writings make mention of, more pure and perfect than the former. ,As if this was but as a Refiner's fire, to purge out the drofs and courier parts, and then call the Mafs again into a new and ·better Mould. Thefe things, with Gods af- iiilahce, |jhall be matter of our prejent enquiry ל Thefe make the general fcbjeCl of this Treatife, and of the remaining parts of this Cheery ofthe Earth. Which now, you fee, begins to be a kind of Prophecy, or Prognoilication of things to come: as it hath been littheiTO'an Hiilory of things pafs’d ־, of fuch dates and changes as Nature hath already undergone. And if that account which we have given of the Origin of the Earth, its firft and Paradifia- cal form, and the diifolution .of it at the Univerfal Deluge, appear fair and reaibfoable: Tlie fecond diflfolution by Fire, and the re- renovation of it out of a Second Chaos, I hope will be deduc’d from as dual*-grounds and firppoiitions. And Scripture it felf will be a more vifible Guide to us in thefe following parts of the Theory, than it was in the former.! Inf the mean time, I take occaiion to de- dare here again, as I have dope heretofore, that. neither this, nor ariy o\foerv^grea)t revolutions·' of Natufe, are Brought to pali, by Caufes purely Natural, without the condud of a particular Provi- dence. And ,tis the Sacred Books of Scripture that are the records of this Providence, both as to times pail, and times to come: as to all ·the fignal Changes either of the Natural World, or of Man- kind,::and theditferent (}economies of Religion. In which refpeds, thefe Books, tho’ they did not contain a Moral Law, would notwith- Handing be,· as the moll myilical, fo alfo the moil valuable Books in the World. This Treafife^ you fee, will confiil of Two Parts: The former Whereof Ism give an account of the Conflagration ל and the latter, of the New■ Eleavens and New Earth following upon it ל together with the hitter of Mankind in thofe New Habitations. As to the Conflagrattatff we firfl enquire, what the Antients thought con׳ cerning the prefent frame of this World ·, whether it was to perifh ©r no : - whether to be deftroyed, or to Hand eternally in this po- Hare* iiCwhat manner they thought it would be deflroy’d ל by whatforce or violence *, whether by Fire or other ways. And with ©pinions of the ·Antients we will compare the dodrine of the -Prophets and Apfflles, to difcover and confirm the truth of them. In'the fecond place, We will examine what Calculations or Conjedures have been made concerning the time of this great Catailrophe,' ©r of the end of this World, Whether that period be deiineabie 'or ;110: and whether by Natural Arguments, or by .Pro- phccies. Thirdly, We will coniider the Signs of the approaching Conflagration: Whether fuch as will be in Nature, or in the Hate of Humane Affairs ל but;efpecially fuch as are taken notice of and recorded in Scripture. Fourthly, Which is the principal point, - - - and