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 first books, concerning the deluge and concerning paradise / [Thomas Burnet].

  • Burnet, Thomas, Sir, 1632?-1715?
Date:
1684
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 first books, concerning the deluge and concerning paradise / [Thomas Burnet]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    342/364 (page 310)
    }I0 CHAP. XI. Concerning NATURAL PROVIDENCE. Several incroachnients upon Natural Troyidence> or mfreprcfentations of it, and falfe methods of Contemplation • ajf true method propos'd, and a truereprefentationofthe'Vniyerfe. The Mun¬ dane Idea, and the Vniyerfal Syfem of Troy i- dence • Seyeral fub ordinate Syferns. That of our Earth and Sublunary IVorld • The courfe and Teriods of it • How much of this is already treat¬ ed of and what remains. The Conclusion. WE havefet bounds to Nature in the foregoing Chapter, and plac'd her Author and Gover- nour upon his Throne, to give Laws to her Motions, and to diredt and limit her Power in fuch ways and methods as are moft for his honour. Let us now confider Nature under the conduct of Providence, or confider Natural Providence, and the extent of it 5 And as we were cautious before not to give too much power or greatnefs to Nature, confider'd apart from Providence, fo we* muft be careful now, under this fecond confideration, not to contract her bounds too much 5 left we fhould by too mean and narrow thoughts of the Creation, Eclipfe the glory of its Au¬ thor, whom we have fo lately own'd as a Being infi¬ nitely perfect. And to ufe no further Introduction,- In the firfl -place, we muft not by any means admit or imagine, that all Nature, and this great Univerfe was made on¬ ly for the fake of Man, the meaneft of all Intelligent Creatures that we know of 3 Nor that this little Pla¬ net