A new theory of the earth, from its original to the consummation of all things wherein the creation of the world in six days, the universal deluge, and the general conflagration, as laid down in the Holy Scriptures, are shewn to be perfectly agreeable to reason and philosophy : with a large introductory discourse concerning the genuine nature, stile, and extent of the Mosaick history of the creation / by William Whiston ...

CHAP. IV. A Solution of the Phaenomena relating to the Universal Deluge, and its Effects upon the Earth.

XLIV. In the Seventeenth Century from the Creation, there happen'd a most extraordinary and prodigious Deluge of Waters upon the Earth.

XLIV. WHatever difficulties may hitherto have rendred this most Noted Catastrophe of the Old World, that it was de∣stroy'd by Waters, very hard, if not wholly in∣explicable

without an Omnipotent Power, and Miraculous Interposition; since the Theory of * 1.1 Comets, with their Atmospheres and Tails is dis∣cover'd, they must vanish of their own accord. For if we consider that a Comet is no other than a Chaos; including the very same Bodies, and Parts, of which our own Earth is compos'd; that the outward Regions of its Atmosphere are plain Vapours, or such a sort of Mist as we fre∣quently see with us; and the Tail a column of the same Vapours, rarified and expanded to a greater degree, as the Vapours which in the clearest Days or Nights our Air contains at pre∣sent, are; and that withal such a Comet is ca∣pable of passing so close by the Body of the Earth as to involve it in its Atmosphere and Tail a considerable time, and leave prodigious quan∣tities of the same Condensed and Expanded Va∣pours upon its Surface; we shall easily see that a Deluge of Waters is by no means an impossible thing; and in particular that such an individual Deluge as to the Time, Quantity, and Circum∣stances which Moses describes, is no more so, but fully accountable, that it might be, nay al∣most demonstrable that it really was. All which the Solutions following will I think give an easie and mechanical account of.

XLV. This prodigious Deluge of Waters was mainly oc∣casion'd by a most extraordinary and violent Rain, for the space of forty Days, and as many Nights, without intermission.

XLV. When the Earth passed clear through the Atmosphere and Tail of the Comet, in which it would remain for about 10 or 12 hours (as from the Velocity of the Earth, and the Crassi∣tude of the said Tail on Calculation does appear)

it must acquire, from the violence of the Co∣lumn of Vapours descend towards the Sun, im∣peded by the Earth's Interposition and Reception of the same; and from the Attractive Power of the Earth it self withal, enforcing more to de∣scend; it must, I say, acquire upon its Surface immense quantities of the Vapours before men∣tion'd. A great part of which being in a very Rare and Expanded condition, after their Pri∣mary Fall, would be immediately mounted up∣ward into the Air, and afterward descend in violent and outragious Rains upon the Face of the Earth. All those Vapours which were rarer and lighter than that Air which is immediately contiguous to the Earth, must certainly ascend to such a height therein, where its Density and Specifick Gravity were correspondent (as far as that Croud of their fellow Vapours, with which the Air was oppress'd would give leave;) And so afterwards, as they cool'd, thicken'd, and col∣lected together, like our present Vapours must de∣scend in most prodigious Showers of Rain for a long time afterwards, and very naturally occasion that forty Days and forty Nights Rain mention'd in the Proposition before us.

XLVI. This vast quantity of Waters was not deriv'd from the Earth or Seas, as Rains constantly now are; but from some other Superior and Coelestial Original.

XLVI. This is already evident from what has been just now said: The source of all these Rains being one of those Superior or Coelestial Bodies which we call Comets; or more pecu∣liarly the Atmosphere and Tail thereof.

XLVII. This vast Fall of Waters, or forty Days Rain, began on the fifth day of the Week, or Thursday the

twenty seventh day of November, being the seventeenth day of the second Month from the Autumnal Equinox; (corresponding this Year 1696. to the twenty eighth day of October)

XLVII. This has been already explain'd in * 1.2 effect, in the Hypothesis hereto relating; where it was prov'd that a Comet on that very day here nam'd pass'd by the Earth; and by conse∣quence began those Rains which for the succeed∣ing forty days space continued without any In∣terruption.

XLVIII. The other main cause of the Deluge, was the breaking up the Fountains of the great Abyss, or causing such Chaps and Fissures in the upper Earth, as might permit the Waters contain'd in the Bowels of it when violently press'd and squeez'd upwards, to ascend, and so add to the quantity of those which the Rains produced.

XLVIII. This has in part been explain'd in * 1.3 the Lemmata hereto relating; and will be more fully understood from the Figure there also re∣fer'd to. For Let adbc represent the Earth, moving along the Ecliptick GH, from G to∣wards H. 'Tis evident that the Figure of the Earth before the approach of the Comet, as far as 'tis here concern'd, was Sphaerical. But now, let us suppose the Comet bi Dh (as it was de∣scending towards its Perihelion, along its Traje∣ctory EF, from E towards F) to approach very near, and arrive at the nearest Position, repre∣sented in the Figure. 'Tis evident that this presence of the Comet would cause a double Tide, as well in the Seas above, as in the Abyss below; the former of which being less consider∣able in it self, and not to our present purpose, need not be taken any farther notice of: But

the latter would be vastly great, (suppose seven or eight Miles high above its former Position) * 1.4 would produce mighty Effects on the Orb above it, and so deserves a nicer consideration in this place. As soon therefore as the Comet came pretty near, (as suppose within the Moon's distance) this double Tide would begin to rise, and increase all the time of its approach, till the Comet was nearest of all, as in the Figure. And then these Tides, or double Protuberances of the Abyss, would be at their utmost height. So that the Surface of the Abyss, and of its incumbent Orb of Earth, would put on that Elliptick, or rather truly and exactly Oval Figure, under which 'tis * 1.5 here represented. Now, 'tis certain, that this Sphoeroid Surface of the Abyss is larger than its for∣mer Sphoerical one; 'tis also certain, that the Orb of Earth which rested on this Abyss, must be oblig'd to follow its Figure, and accommodate it self to this large Oval; which being impossible for it to do while it remain'd Solid, continued, and conjoyn'd, it must of necessity enlarge it self, and by the violent force of the encreasing Surface of the Abyss be stretch'd, crack'd, broken, and have innumerable Fissures made quite through it, from the upper to the under Surface thereof, nearly perpendicular to the same Surfaces. So that this Orb of Earth which originally, in its primary formation, was Sphaerical; its inward Compages or Strata even, conjoin'd, and con∣tinual; which had afterward, at the commencing of the Diurnal Rotation, been chang'd into an Oblate Sphoeroid, and at the same time been there∣by broken, chap'd, and disjointed; by that time its wounds had been well healed, and it was in some measure setled, and fix'd in such a condi∣tion, receiv'd this new Disruption at the De∣luge.

Its old Fissures were open'd, and the Fountains of the Abyss (most Naturally and Emphatically so stil'd, according to Dr. Wood∣ward's, * 1.6 Account of the Origin of Fountains) broken up; and sufficient Gaps made for a Communication between the Abyss below, and the Surface of the Earth above the same, if any occasion should be given for the Ascent of the former, or Descent of any thing from the latter. And here 'tis to be noted, that these Chaps and Fissures, tho' they were never so many or so open, could not of themselves raise any Sub∣terraneous Waters, nor contribute one jot to the drowning of the Earth. The Upper Orb was long ago setled, and sunk as far into the Abyss as the Law of Hydrostaticks requir'd; and whether 'twere intire or broken, would cause no new pressure; and no more than maintain its prior situation on the Face of the Deep. These Fissures had been at least as open and extended in their Original Generation, when the Diurnal Rotation began, as at this time, and yet was there no danger of a Deluge. So that tho' this breaking up of the Fountains of the Deep was a prerequisite condition, and absolutely necessa∣ry to the Ascent of the Subterraneous Waters, yet was it not the proper and direct cause or efficient thereof: That is to be deriv'd from another original, and is as follows. As soon as the presence of the Comet had produc'd those vast Tides, or double elevation and depression of the Abyss, and thereby disjointed the Earth, and caus'd the before-mentiond patent holes or breaches quite through the Body of it, the Fall of Waters began, and quickly cover'd the Earth, and crouded the Air with vast quantities there of: Which Waters being adventitious or addi∣tional

ones, and of a prodigious weight withal, must press downward with a mighty force, and endeavour to sink the Orb of Earth deeper into the Abyss, according as the intire weight of each column of Earth, and its incumbent Waters to∣gether, agreeably to the Law of Hydrostaticks, did now require. And had the Earth, as it was * 1.7 in its first subsiding into the Abyss, been loose, separate, and unfix'd, so as to admit the Abyss between its parts, and suffer a gentle subsidence of the Columns of Earth in the requisite proportion, we could scarce have expected any Elevation of the Subterraneous Waters. But the Strata of the Earth were long ago setled, fastened, and consolidated together, and so could not admit of such a farther immersion in∣to the fluid. On which account the new and vast pressure of the Orb of Earth upon the Abyss would certainly force it upward, or any way, wheresoever there were a passage for it: To which therefore the Breaches, Holes, and Fissures so newly generated, or rather open'd afresh by the violence of the Tides in the Abyss beneath, would be very ready and natural Outlets; through which it would Ascend with a mighty force, and carry up before it whatever was in its way, whether Fluid or Solid, whether 'twere Earth or Water. And seeing, as we before saw, the Lower Regions of the Earth were full of Water, pervading and replenishing the Pores * 1.8 and Interstices thereof; which Waters on the opening of the Fissures would from all sides ouze into, and fill up the Inferiour parts of the same, and rest upon the Face of the Abyss; the Dense Fluid of the Abyss, in its violent Ascent through the Fissures, would carry before it, and throw out at the tops of the said Fissures great quanti∣ties

of the same; and if its force were any where sufficient, would cast it self also out at the same passages; and by both or either ways would mightily add to the quantity of the Waters al∣ready on the Face of the Earth, and become a fresh and a prodigious augmentation of that De∣luge, which began already to overwhelm and destroy the Inhabitants thereof. For the better apprehension of this matter, let us imagine the following Experiment were made. Suppose a Cylinder of Stone or Marble fitted so exactly to a hollow Cylindrical Vessel, that it may just Ascend or Descend freely within it: Let the Cylinder of Stone or Marble have small holes bored quite through it, parallel to the Axis thereof: Let the Vessel be fill'd half full of Wa∣ter; and the Cylinder, as gently as you please, be put into the Vessel, till it touch the Water: Let then each of the holes through the Cylinder be fill'd in part with Oyl, or any other Fluid lighter than the Water, to Swim upon the Sur∣face thereof: Things being thus provided, you have the very case of the Deluge before you; and what effects you here, in a lesser degree, will observe, are but the representations of those great and remarkable ones of which we are now speaking. For as the weight of the Cylinder pressing upon the Surface of the Water would squeeze the Oyl upon its Surface through the holes, and cast it out thereat with some violence, and cast it self too out at the same passages if the holes were not too high, in comparison to the quantity of the intire pressure upon the Sur∣face of the Water; just so the Weight of the Columns of Earth, augmented by the additional Waters of the Comet, would squeeze and press upon the Surface of the Abyss; which being a

Fluid Mass, and incapable of sustaining a pres∣sure in one part, without equally communica∣ting * 1.9 it to all the rest, any way whatsoever; must burst out wherever such pressure was want∣ing, and throw it self up the Fissures; carrying up before it, and throwing out upon the Earth those Waters which (like Oyl on the Water in the Experiment) lay upon its Surface, and for the altitude perhaps of some Miles cover'd the same; and thereby mightily increasing the great∣ness of the Deluge, and having a main stroke in that destruction which it brought upon the Earth. All which, I think, gives us a clear, easie, and mechanical account of this (hitherto inex∣plicable) Secondary Cause of the Deluge, the breaking up the Fountains of the Great Deep, and thereat the elevating the Subterraneous Wa∣ters, and bringing them out upon the Face of the Earth.

Corollary 1. These Chaps or Fissures at the De∣luge would commonly be the same with those at the commencing of the Diurnal Rotation. It being easier to break the Compages of the Earth where it had once been broken already, and was never united well again, than in other places where it was intire and continued: And those parts which sustain'd the rather greater force at the former Convulsion, would at least as well sustain this, of which we are now speaking, and preserve their former continuity still, as they did before the Flood.

Coroll. 2. Hence if these Fissures are the occasion and source of Fountains, as Dr. Woodward very probably asserts, The Antediluvian and Postdilu∣vian Springs must be generally the very same; as arising from the same Originals; so far as the muta∣tions at the Earth's Surface to be afterward explain'd would permit and allow in the case.

Coroll. 3. Since we have before shew'd, that the Mountainous Columns of the Earth are the loosest, the least compacted, and least solid of all others, The Earth would be the most subject to the Fissures and Breaches in those parts, and the generality of Springs and Rivers would now proceed from thence: Unless the peculiar Stony, or other firm Compages of the same prevented the Effects here mention'd, as some∣times perhaps might happen in the present case.

Coroll. 4. Hence 'tis evident, that there was no great Ocean, but only smaller Lakes and Seas, before the Flood. For otherwise the Tule or Flux of the Ocean would have been so great and violent, as to have superseded almost all the designs of the ensuing Deluge, and have withal extremely endanger'd, if not certainly destroy'd, the Ark, and all those Crea∣tures which were entring into it: Which the small Tides in the small Lakes and Seas would not at all affect, or disturb.

XLIX. All these Fountains of the great Deep were broken up on the very first day of the Deluge, or the very first day when the Rains began.

XLIX. This is very easily understood from the space of time that the Comet was near the Earth. For the duration of this Disruption, or breaking of the Orb of Earth, occasion'd by the nearness of the Comet, must be commensurate thereto; which, tho' we should take in all the space it was nearer than the Moon, could not possibly, as is easie to Calculate, amount to Nine Hours; which is indeed much more than need be allow'd; and is yet sufficiently within that Days space which this Phaenomenon, if occasion were, could allow us to suppose; and so fully satisfies the same.

L. Yet the very same day, Noah, his Family, and all the Animals entred into the Ark.

L. Tho' 'tis otherwise not a little strange that the entry into the Ark should be defer'd till this Day; yet 'tis clear and easie on the present Hy∣pothesis. For as to the Fountains of the great Deep, which were broken up this Day, thereby the Earth and its Contents were only gradually and insensibly elevated; but no other distur∣bance given to Noah in his Entry into the Ark at the same time. The Fissures indeed were now made, but till the weight of the Waters from the Comet could operate, no Water would from thence arise to disturb him. And tho' they had, yet unless there were some of the great Fissures or Spouts just where he was, no interruption could this day be given him therefrom. As to the Rains themselves, tho' they all fell first upon the Earth nearly within the compass of this Day, and so must cause a most prodigious destruction and confusion upon the Earth where they so fell; yet the peculiar situation of Mount Caucasus, on or near which the Ark was, did secure it; this day, tho' so outragious and destructive a one to the Inhabitants of the other parts of the Globe, was yet here fair and calm, as at other times: Which is thus demonstrated. 'Tis evident that Mount Caucasus is ficuate pretty near the Center of our Northern Continent; or indeed some 20 or 25 degrees Northeast from the same; that is, as will hereafter appear, pretty near the Point b, * 1.10 or somewhat below it towards c: Which Moun∣tain Caucasus was directly expos'd therefore to the Comet at its nearest distance, represented in the Figure. When the Comet therefore was

moving from E to F, so soon as the Earth came within its Atmosphere and Tail, a Cylindrical Co∣lumn of Vapours would be intercepted, and bore off by the Earth in its passage, whose Basis were somewhat larger than a great Circle on the Earth, and whose Direction or Axis, from the compound Motion of the Comet and of the Earth, were at about 45 degrees of Inclination with the Ecliptick or parallel to cd, the lesser Axis of the Earth. That is, the first fall of the Va∣pours would affect one Hemisphere of the Earth at a time, that, namely, which were properly expos'd to their descent; and the other would be not at all affected therewith, till the Earth's Diurnal Rotation by degrees expos'd the other parts in like manner, and brought every one at last with∣in the verge of that Hemisphere on which was the first and most violent descent of the Vapours. Now this Hemisphere would be represented in the Figure by a d b; and the opposite one, which intirely escap'd at the same time by a c b. So that seeing the Ark, or Mount Caucasus, was below the Point b; and by the Diurnal Rota∣tion quickly got farther within the fair Hemis∣phere; it would remain in the same during all the time of this first violent Fall of the Waters, and have a calm and quiet day for the entry in∣to the Ark; while the other Regions of the Globe were subject to so violent a Storm, and such fury of descending Vapours as no Age past or future had been, or were to be exposed to. This place could only be capable of some falling Vapours three or four hours after Sun-set, in case the Earth were not at that time got clear of the Tail of the Comet, in which it had been all the preceding day: And consequently, Noah had as fair and calm a time of entring into the

Ark, with all his Family, and the other Animals, as could be desir'd; when no other parts of the Globe, but those agreeing in such a peculiar situation with him, could have permitted the same. Which is, I think, not a meer Satisfactory, but a very Surprizing account of the present Proposition.

Corollary 1. Hence the time of the breaking open of the Fountains of the Deep, and of the beginning of the Rains, very nearly coincident therewith, is deter∣min'd; and that, agreeably to the Mosaick History, much nearer than to a Day; (with which exactness we have hitherto contented our selves in the case) And indeed almost to an Hour. For seeing all the Fountains of the great Deep were broken up on this day; seeing the forty days Rain began on the same day; seeing Noah, with all his Family, and all the other Creatures entred on this self-same day into the Ark; all which certainly require very near an intire day; and yet seem very incompatible; there is no other way but to assert, that tho' the breaking up of the Fountains of the Great Deep, and the Fall of the Wa∣ters, were coincident, and upon the same day with the Entry into the Ark, as the Text most expresly asserts; yet the place where the Ark was, escap'd the effects of the same till the Evening; and while the rest of the Earth was abiding the fury of the same, en∣joy'd so calm, fair, and undisturb'd a day, as per∣mitted their regular and orderly going into the Ark before the Waters overtook them. So that the Deluge must, according to the Sacred History, have commenc'd in the Morning, and yet not reach'd the particular place where Noah was till the Evening, or the com∣ing on of the ensuing Night: Which how exactly the present Hypothesis is correspondent to, I shall leave the Reader to judge from what has been said under this last Proposition; according to which 'tis plain,

that the Comet pass'd by the Earth, broke up the Foun∣tains of the Deep, and began the forty days Rains after Sun∣rising, about Eight or Nine a Clock in the Morning; from which time till Eight or Nine a Clock at Night, and long after Sun-set, tho' the Waters fell with the greatest violence on the Earth, yet they affected a single Hemisphere at a time only, into which the Diurnal Rotation did not all that while convert the Regions near the Ark; and this most nicely and wonderfully corresponds to the greatest accuracy of the present case, and of the Mosaick History. So that now we may, agreeably both to the Sacred Hi∣story, and the Calculations from the present Hypothe∣sis, assert, that the Deluge began at the Meridian of Mount Caucasus on Thursday the twenty seventh day of November, in the year of the Julian Period, 2365, between Eight and Nine a Clock in the Morn∣ing. Which exactness of Solution, wherein not only the Day, but almost Hour assign'd from the Mosaick History is correspondent to the present Hypothesis, how remarkable an Attestation it is to the same, and how full a confirmation of the most accurate Verity of the Mosaick History, I need not remark: Such re∣flections when Just, being very Natural with every careful Reader.

Corollary 2. Here is an instance of the peculiar Providence of God in the Preservation of the Ark, by ordering the Situation so as to escape the Violence of the thick Vapours in their first precipitate fall, which otherwise must probably have dash'd it to pieces. For considering their Velocity of Motion, which indeed was incredible, no less than eight hundred Miles in the space of a Minute; 'tis not easy to suppose, that any Building could sustain and preserve it self under the violence thereof; which we see the Ark, by the pecu∣liar place of its Situation, twenty or twenty five degrees North-East from the Center of our Northern Conti∣nent,

was wonderfully secured from, while the other Regions of the Earth were exposed thereto, and in great measure, 'tis probable, destroy'd thereby.

Coroll. 3. Hence 'tis evident, That the place of the Ark before assign'd, at Mount Caucasus, was its true one, and not any Mountain in or near Armenia. For had it been there seated, it had been expos'd to the violence of the falling Vapours, and instead of a quiet entry into the Ark on this first day of the Deluge, the Ark it self, with all the Creatures that were to be preserv'd in it, would have utterly perish'd in the very beginning thereof.

Coroll. 4. Hence the reason may easily be given, why the History of the Deluge takes no notice of this passing by of the Comet; viz. because none of those who surviv'd the Deluge, could see or perceive the same. For at the time of the approach of the Comet at first, both the latter end of the Night-season, when all were asleep; and the Mists, which according to the Nature of the Antediluvian Air, were probably then upon the Earth, and obscur'd the Face of the Heavens, hindred any prospect of this dreadful Body. And soon after the Morning came, they were actually in∣volv'd in the Atmosphere of the Comet, and so in its Tail presently after, which would only appear a strange and unusual Mist or Cloud at a distance, whol∣ly depriving them of the distinct view of the Comet it self, and leaving them utterly ignorant of the true oc∣casion of the following Catastrophe, unless any inti∣mation should have been given them thereof by a Di∣vine Revelation.

LI. Tho' the first and most violent Rains continued with∣out intermission but forty Days, yet after some time the Rains began again, and ceased not till the seven∣teenth Day of the seventh Month, or a hundred and fifty Days after the Deluge began.

LI. It has been already abserv'd, That the * 1.11 Comet would involve the Earth in its Tail a se∣cond time, about fifty four or fifty five Days af∣ter its first passing by, as well as it did before; as 'tis also represented in the Figure. Which being suppos'd, the Earth must receive a new stock of Vapours as before; and the Rains which had intermitted for fourteen or fifteen Days, must begin again. The differences between the former and latter Rains would be, (1.) These latter Vapours proceeding from the Tail, whereas the former did principally from the much denser Atmosphere of the Comet, would be less copious, and less violent than the other, and cause a gent∣ler Rain. (2.) These Vapours being newly ra∣rified by the prodigious Heat at the Perihelion, and rais'd thereby to a mighty height in the Tail, from their greater rarity and lightness, higher ascent in our Air consequent thereupon, and longer time thence necessary to their cooling and descent in Rains upon the Earth, would be much longer in falling, and produce a conti∣nual Rain of many more days than the former did. Both which are exactly agreeable to the Mosaick History; whence it appears, that the first Rains had the principal stroke in the Deluge; and that if this secondary Rain commenc'd at the time here assign'd, it must have continued 95 or 96 days; which is considerably more than dou∣ble the number of those 40, within which the former Rains were confin'd.

LII. This second, and less remarkable Rain was deriv'd from such a cause as the former was.

LII. This is sufficiently evident already, since the same Comet afforded the matter for both Rains equally.

LIII. Tho' the Fountains of the great Deep were broken up, and the forty days Rain began at the same time; yet is there a very observable mention of a threefold growth, or distinct augmentation of the Waters, as if it were on three several accounts, and at three several times.

LIII. This is particularly correspondent to the present Hypothesis; wherein (1.) The principal Rain of 40 days; (2.) The Eruption and Ascent of the Subterraneous Waters, occasion'd by their weight and pressure; (3.) The lesser Rain of 95 or 96 days, were both different in themselves, and in their time of commencing, and caus'd a distinct augmentation of the Waters, agreeably to the greatest nicety of this Proposition.

LIV. The Waters of the Deluge increas'd by degrees till their utmost height; and then decreas'd by degrees till they were clearly gone off the Face of the Earth.

LIV. This is evident as to the increase of the Deluge, by what has been already said; and will equally be so of its decrease, when we come to it hereafter.

LV. The Waters of the Deluge were Still, Calm, free from Commotions, Storms, Winds, and Tempests, of all sorts, during the whole time in which the Ark was afloat upon them.

LV. It has already appear'd, that there were no * 1.12 Storms, Tempests, or other violent Commotions * 1.13 in the Antediluvian Air till the Deluge; and that during the space here referr'd to, none would arise, 'tis but reasonable to allow. For as to the first and principal Rain, it was so constant, so downright, and so uninterrupted, that no little commotion in the Air could have place; or if it

had, could disturb it; which is commonly the case of long and setled Rains with us at this day. As to the Subterraneous Waters, ascending with some violence, they were confin'd to several par∣ticular places, and not universal; and though they might cause some commotions at the bottom of the Waters, yet might the surface of the same, and the Air, be sufficiently calm and undisturb'd. But as to the third Cause of the Deluge, It must be granted, agreeably to what has been before * 1.14 observ'd, That the descending Vapours would * 1.15 not be merely such, but mix'd with many hete∣rogenerous Particles of all sorts, Sulphur, Brim∣stone, Niter, Coal, Mineral Effluvia, Metallick Steams, and the like, which the prodigious heat at the Perihelion had dissolv'd and elevated into the Tail of the Comet: From the confused mixture, irregular fermentations, and disagreeing motions of all which, 'tis probable the preternatural and violent commotions in the Atmosphere then, and since, are mainly to be deduc'd. So that assoon as the latter 94 or 95 days Rains were almost over; assoon as these rarified Corpuscles were descended into the lower and narrower Regions of the Air; and being crouded closer, were, by the greater heat there predominant, put into such irregular fermentations as they were already dis∣posed for; 'Tis natural to suppose that Winds, and Storms of all sorts, and those in a very ex∣traordinary manner, would arise, and cause the most sensible and extream perturbations of the Waters (now covering to a vast depth the face of the whole Earth) that could easily be conceiv'd: Of which the following Proposition will give farther occasion to discourse.

LVI. Yet during the Deluge there were both Winds and Storms of all sorts in a very violent manner.

LVI. Seeing, as we just now saw, that at the end of the latter Rains the greatest Storms possi∣ble were to be expected; and seeing yet the Ark, which had been afloat so long, and was so still (the Waters being now at the very highest) was incapable of abiding a stormy Sea, as we prov'd under the former Phaenomenon; there at first view appears the greatest danger imaginable, of its perishing in the future immoderate and extraor∣dinary Commotions. And this danger is increa∣sed by this Reflection; That as probably it had been afloat during the most part of the 150 days, while the Waters were gradually and gently aug∣menting; so one would imagine ought it to be, for at least as many days, during the at least as gentle and gradual decrease of the same after∣wards: i. e. The Ark ought to have been as long afloat in the stormy, as it had been in the calm part of the Deluge. But this difficulty, which is to appearance so entirely insoluble, will soon va∣nish, if we consider that the Ark rested upon Cau∣casus, * 1.16 the then highest Mountain in the world. For seeing the Waters prevailed above the same Moun∣tain 15 Cubits only, a great part of which depth * 1.17 of Water would be drawn by the Ark it self; upon the very first ceasing of the Rains from above, and of the Waters from the Abyss be∣neath, which permitted the least subsiding and diminution of the Deluge, the Ark must imme∣diately rest upon the ground, and thereby se∣cure it self from the impending Storms. And that accordingly it did so, at the time assign'd, on the conclusion of the 150 days, or the very same individual day when the Wind began, is parti∣cularly and expresly observ'd and affirm'd by Moses: Which being a very remarkable coinci∣dence, exactly agreeable to the present Hypothesis,

as well as to the Sacred History, and of very considerable Importance, I shall set down the words at large, as follows:

The waters prevailed upon the Earth an hundred * 1.18 and fifty days (viz. from the seventeenth of these∣cond, to the seventeenth of the seventh Month). And God remembred Noah, and every living thing, and all the Cattel that was with him in the Ark: And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged. The fountains also of the deep, and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained. And the waters re∣turned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days, the waters were abated. And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.

Corollary. Hence 'tis obvious to remark the won∣derful Providence of God for the Preservation of the Ark, and the sole Remains of the old World therein contain'd, in ordering all circumstances, so, that it was afloat just all the calm Season of the Deluge, but as soon as ever any tempestuous Weather arose, was safe landed on the top of Caucasus.

LVII. This Deluge of Waters was universal in its extent and effect; reaching to all the parts of the Earth, and destroying all the Land-Animals on the intire Surface thereof; those only excepted which were with Noah in the Ark.

LVII. This might justly have been made a Corollary of the next Proposition, (for if the Wa∣ters in any one Region, much more a compleat Hemisphere, exceeded the tops of the highest Mountains, it would certainly diffuse it self and overflow the other also): But being capable in the present Hypothesis of a separate Proof, de∣serves

a distinct Consideration. Now of the se∣veral Causes of the Deluge, those Vapours which were deriv'd from the Comet's Tail, both at the first and second passage of the Earth through the entire Column thereof, by reason of the Earth's Mora, or abiding therein about 12 hours, or a se∣mi-revolution, and the fall of the Vapours on an entire Hemisphere at the same time, would af∣fect the whole Earth, and though not exactly equally, yet pretty universally make a Deluge in all the Regions of the Globe. The subterra∣neous Waters, being the proper effect of the weight of the other, would also be as universal as they, and that every where, generally speak∣ing, in the same proportion. 'Tis true, the Waters which were derived from the Atmosphere of the Comet (the principal Source of the 40 days Rain) were not wholly so universal as the former at first, by reason of the shorter Mora or abiding of the Earth therein (though even much above half of the Earth's entire surface would hence be immediately affected): But if we consider the Velocity of the Earth's Diurnal Rotation, and that the Mass of newly acquir'd Vapours was not at first partaker of the same, but by degrees to receive the impression thereof, we shall with ease apprehend, that a few of the first Rotations would wind or wrap these, as well as the other Vapours, quite round the Earth, and thereby cause a very equal distribution of them all in the Atmosphere, and at last render the Rains very evenly Universal. To which uniform distribution the Nature of the Air it self, as at present it I suppose does, might con∣tribute: Such an Elastical Fluid as the Air scarce suffering a lasting Density or Croud of Vapours in one Region, without communicating some

part to the others adjoining; that so a kind of Equilibrium in the weight, crassitude, and density of its several Columns may be preserv'd through the whole. So that at last, the Deluge must have been Universal, because every one of the Causes thereof appear to have been truly so.

LVIII. The Waters at their utmost height were fifteen Cubits above the highest Mountains, or three Miles at the least perpendicular above the common Surface of the Plains and Seas.

LVIII. In order to make some estimate of the quantity of Water which this Hypothesis affords us, let us suppose that the one half came from the Comet, or the Rains; and the other half from the Subterraneous Water: (Tho' 'tis not impossible that much the greater part might arise from the latter:) Let us also suppose, that the tenth part of the rest arose from the Tail of the Comet, at both the times of its enclosing the Earth; and the other nine from its Atmos∣phere; (tho' 'tis possible that a much less propor∣tion ought to be deriv'd from the former) 'Tis evident from the Velocity of Comets, at the di∣stance from the Sun here to be consider'd, and the usual Crassitude or Diameter of the Tails thereof, that the Earth would be near half a day, or 12 hours each time within the limits thereof; and by consequence that it would intercept and receive upon it self a Cylindrical Column of Va∣pour, whose Basis were equal to that of a great Circle on the Earth, and whose Altitude were about 750000 Miles. If we therefore did but know the proper density of the Vapour compe∣sing the Tail of the Comet, or what proportion it bears to that of Water, 'twere easie to reduce this matter to Calculation, and very nearly to

determine the quantity enquired after. That the Tail of a Comet, especially at any conside∣rable distance from the Comet it self, is exceed∣ing rare, is evident, by the vastness of its extent, and the distinct appearance of the sixt Stars quite through the immense Crassitude of its entire Co∣lumn. Let us, for computation's sake, suppose that the Density of Water to that of this Ex∣panded Column of Vapour is as 3400000 to one; or, which is all one, (since Water is to our Air in Density as 850 to one) that the Density of our Air, is to the Density of this Coulmn of Vapour, as 4000 to one, (which degree of rare∣ness if it be not enough at a great distance from the Comet, as at the second passage; yet I sup∣pose may be more than sufficient at the very Re∣gion adjoining thereto, as at the first passage; and so upon the whole no unreasonable Hypo∣thesis:) So that if we divide the Altitude of this Cylindrical Column of (750000 Miles, or) 3750000000 Feet by 3400000 (37500 by 34) we shall have a Column of Water equal there∣to. By which Calculation the quantity of Wa∣ter acquir'd at each time of the passage through the Tail, would equal a Cylinder, whose Basis were a great Circle on the Earth, as above; and whose Altitude were 1103 Feet: Which quanti∣ty being twice acquir'd, must be doubled; and then will amount to a Cylinder whose Basis were the same as above, and whose Altitude were double the others, or 2206 Feet. Now Archimedes has demonstrated, that the intire Superficies of a Sphere or Globe is four times as large as the Area of one of its great Circles. And by consequence the Column of Vapour before-mention'd, when converted into Rain Water, and spread upon the Face of the Earth, would cover the Globe intire∣ly

round (had there been no Dryland or Moun∣tains extant above the Surface of the Plains and Seas) a quarter of the height last assign'd, or 5411/2 Feet every way: Which being suppos'd, and what was at the first Postulated of the At∣mosphere's quota, the whole Water afforded by the Comet-will cover the Earth intirely to the per∣pendicular height of the 541c1/2 Feet. To which add, by the Original Postulatum, the equal quan∣tity ascending from the Bowels of the Earth, the Total amounts to 10821 Feet; or above two Miles perpendicular Altitude: Which, when allowance is made for those large spaces taken up by the extant Dry Land and Mountains, will approach very near that three Miles perpendicular height requir'd by the present Phaenomenon.

Corollary. If the several particulars requisite to the nice adjustment of these Computations were more exactly enquir'd into, some light on the present Hypo∣thesis, might be afforded to the Density of the Atmos∣pheres and Tails of Comets, which is hitherto undeter∣min'd; the consideration of which matter must be re∣fer'd to Astronomers.

LIX. Whatever be the height of the Mountain Caucasus, whereon the Ark rested, now; it was at that time the highest in the whole World.

LIX. If we consult the Figure here refer'd to, * 1.19 we shall easily apprehend the Reason of this, otherwise, strange Phicnomenon. For seeing this Mountain was the highest in Asia, or the middle Regions of our Continent; and seeing withal that intire Continent, and chiefly the middle Regions thereof, were elevated by the greatest protuberance of the Abyss dbc above any other correspondent parts of the whole Globe, the ab∣solute or intire height of this Mountain arises

not only from its proper Altitude above the neighbouring Plains, but also from the Elevation of the whole Continent, or peculiarly of its middle Regions above the Ancient Surface of the Seas; so that by this advantage of situation, it was at the time here concern'd higher not on∣ly than its Neighbours, which its own Elevation was sufficient for, but than any other on the Face of the whole Earth: Some of which otherwise it could, I believe, by no means have pretended to match, much less to out-do in Altitude. Now altho' the presence of the Comet which produc'd these Tides in the Abyss, and elevated the intire Continents above their ancient level, did not re∣main after the Disruption of the Fountains of the Deep on the first day of the Deluge; yet the Effect thereof, the Elevation of the Continents above their ancient Level, would not so soon, nay would scarce ever intirely cease. We know by common observation, that if a Solid or Setled Mass of Bodies be torn or pull'd in pieces, 'tis not easie to put every thing into its place, and re∣duce the whole to the same fixed Position, and within the same fixed limits, it had before. If a solid compacted mound of Earth were once shatter'd and divided, were levell'd and remov'd, tho' afterward every individual Dust of the for∣mer Earth were laid together again upon the ve∣ry same Plot and Compass, yet would individual Dust of the for∣mer Earth were laid together again upon the ve∣ry same Plot and Compass, yet would it not be immediately confin'd within its ancient dimen∣sions; its height would be at first considerably greater than before; and tho' that in length of time would be by degrees diminish'd, by the gra∣dual setling and crouding together of the parts, and so some approaches would be made thereby towards its ancient density, and lesser elevation; yet neither would be intirely attain'd; in any

moderate space of time at least. And this is the very case before us. That Oval Figure which the Orb of Earth was stretch'd to at the Deluge, would remain for a considerable time, and be many years in setling so close together, that it might afterward remain fixt and firm for the following generations; before which time 'tis evident, that the Regions near the Center of our Northern or Larger Continent, were the highest, and those at 90 degrees distance every where the lowest; and by consequence at the time of the Arks resting, the Mountain Caucasus, near the Center of the Northern Continent, was elevated above the rest, and particularly above the Pike of Teneriff, which seems to be at present the highest of all others. And thus that terrible Phaenomenon is solv'd, which the Reverend Mr. Warren was so puzzled with, that even on the allowance of so much Miracle as the creation of the Waters of the Deluge, and Annihilation of the same afterward, yet could he not account for the Letter of Moses without a forc'd and un∣grounded Supposition, to the same purpose with the Proposition before us: As you will find him, and not without reason, very emphatically expres∣sing * 1.20 himself on this occasion.

Corollary 1. Here is a visible instance of the Di∣vine Providence for the preservation of the Remains of the Old World, by ordering the building of the Ark near that which would be the highest Mountain in the World; that so upon the very first ceasing of the Rains, and the beginning of the Winds and Storms, it might immediately be safe on the top thereof.

Coroll. 2. The same careful and wise providence is conspicuous in the so accurately adjusting all the cir∣cumstances of the Deluge; that tho' it should be high enough to destroy the whole stock of the Dry-land

Animals; and yet but just so much above the Moun∣tain Caucasus, as permitted the Ark to rest at the very first decrease of the Waters, and the commencing per∣turbations of the Air, and the Waves necessarily ensu∣ing; which otherwise must still have destroy'd it, not∣withstanding the advantage of its situation before ob∣serv'd.

Coroll. 3. Supposing the Truth of our first Postu∣latum, of the Verity of the Letter of the Mosaick Hi∣story; as certain as is the greater height of the Pike of Teneriff, or of any other Mountain in the World, above that of Caucasus Now; (of which I suppose no body makes any question) so certain is it (bating unknown causes, and a miraculous Power, as is always in such cases to be suppos'd) that a Comet was the cause of the Mosaick Deluge. For 'tis certain, by the plainest de∣duction from the express words of Scripture, that the Mountain on which the Ark rested was at that time the highest in the World. 'Tis therefore certain, that the Continent or Basis on which Mount Caucasus stand, was elevated higher at the Deluge than 'tis at present: and 'tis also certain, that no Body or Mass of Bodies in the whole World can elevate or depress a Continent of the Earth, but such as are capable of approaching the same; or in other words, but Comets; and consequent∣ly a Comet did approach near the Earth at the time assigned, and was the cause of the Deluge. Which Chain or Connexion. I take to be so strong, that I believe 'twill not be possible to evade its force; and so what on other arguments has been already establish'd, is fully confirm'd by this.

Coroll. 4. 'Tis equally dcmonstrable, that the Up∣per Orb or Habitable Earth is founded on a Subterrane∣ous Fluid, denser and heavier than it self: This circum∣stance being absolutely necessary to account for the Phae∣nomenon we are now upon. For if the internal Re∣gions of the Globe were firm and solid (as is commonly

suppos'd; tho' wholly gratis, and without ground:) Tho' the Comet had pass'd by, yet there could have been no elevation of any Continent, and the Proposition before us must still have remain'd Insoluble.

LX. As the Fountains of the great Deep were broken up at the very same time that the first Rains began, so were they stopp'd the very same time that the last Rains ended; on the seventeenth day of the seventh Month.

LX. Tho' I cannot say that the Account of the Deluge, now given, can determine to a Day the time of the Subterraneous Waters ceasing to spout forth (this stoppage of the Fountains of the Deep in Moses) yet 'tis evident, that the time de∣fin'd by the History is very agreeable to that which from the consideration of the thing it self one should naturally pitch upon. For since the Ascent of the Subterraneous Waters depended on the Waters produc'd by the Rains, as on the be∣ginning of those Rains it began to ascend, on the continuance thereof continued to do the like, so at the ceasing, probably enough might it cease also; as this Proposition assures us it really did.

LXI. The abatement and decrease of the Waters of the Deluge was first by a Wind which dried up some. And secondly, by their descent through those Fissures, Chaps, and Breaches, at which part of them had before ascend∣ed into the Bowels of the Earth, which received the rest. To which latter also the Wind, by hurrying the Waters up and down, and so promoting their lighting into the before-mention'd Fissures, was very much sub∣servient.

LXI. In order to the giving a satisfactory ac∣count of this Proposition, and of the draining the Waters of the Deluge off the Surface of the Earth (which to some has seem'd almost as difficult to solve as their first Introduction); It must first be

granted that the Air could receive and sustain but very inconsiderable quantities, in comparison of the intire Mass which lay upon the Earth; yet some it might, and would naturally do; which accordingly both the Wind here mentioned, and the Sun also took away, and turn'd into Vapour immediately after the ceasing of the latter Rains. But as to all the rest, there is no imaginable place for their Reception, or whither their natural Gravity oblig'd them to retreat to, excepting the Bowels of the Earth; which must therefore be di∣stinctly consider'd in this place. Now we may re∣member, from what has been formerly said, that the quantity of Solids, or earthy Parts in the upper Orbs primary Formation, was very much greater * 1.21 than that of Fluids, or watery Parts; and conse∣quently, that the inward Regions of the Earth be∣ing generally dry and porous, were capable of receiving mighty quantities of Waters without any swelling, without any alteration of the exter∣nal Figure, or visible Bulk. And indeed, if we allow, as we ought, any considerable Crassitude to this upper Orb, its interior Regions might easily contain a much greater quantity of Waters than what was upon the Earth at the Deluge; especi∣ally when so great a part of them was before there, and would only fill up their old places again. So that all the difficulty is now reduc'd to this, By what Pipes, Canals, or Passages, these Waters could be convey'd into the Bowels of the Earth? Which in truth can admit of no dispute, nothing sure being to be conceiv'd more natu∣ral Inlets to these Waters, than those very perpen∣dicular Fissures which were the Outlets to so great a part of them before. As soon therefore as the Waters ceas'd to ascend upwards through those Breaches, they must to be sure descend down∣ward's

by the same; and this descent is more na∣tural than the prior ascent could be esteem'd to be; which was a force upon them, compelling them against their Natures to arise upwards, when this retreat into the same Interstices is no other than their own proper Gravity requir'd, and inclin'd them to. The case here is in part like that of a Sive, first by force press'd down in∣to a Vessel of Water, till it were fill'd therewith, and then suffer'd to emerge again; where through the very same Holes at which the Waters ascend∣ed into, they afterward descended out of the Sive again, and retreated into their own Ele∣ment as before. All that in particular deserves here to be farther noted, is, the Interest of the Wind, or of the Agitations of the Waters (goings and returnings in the Hebrew Phrase) made men∣tion of in this Proposition. And these Commo∣tions are in truth very useful, and very necessary assistants to the draining of the Waters from off the Earth. For when the most part of the Fis∣sures were in the Mountains, 'twould have been a difficult thing to clear the Vallies and lower Grounds, had there been a perfect Calm, and every Collection of Waters remain'd quietly in its own place. But when the Waters were so vio∣lently agitated and hurried from one place to another, they would thereby very frequently light into the Fissures, and Breaches, and so descend as well as the rest into the heart of the Earth; very agreeable to the Assertion of this Proposi∣tion.

Corollary 1. Seeing the most of the Fissures were in the Mountains, the decrease and going off of the Wa∣ters would be greatest at first, while the generality of the Mountains were under water, and less and gentler afterwards.

Coroll. 2. Several low Countries now bordering on the Seas, might for many Years after the Deluge be under Water, which by the descent of more of the Wa∣ters into the Bowels of the Earth, might become Dry∣land afterward; and by their smoothness and equabi∣lity shew their once having lain under, and been made so plain by the Waters. Instances of which are now very observable in the World: In particular, those parts of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire which border on the German Ocean, appear very evidently to have ori∣ginally been in the same case, as any careful Observer will easily pronounce.

LXII. The dry Land, or habitable Part of the Globe, is since the Deluge divided into two vast Continents, al∣most opposite to one another, and separated by a great Ocean interpos'd between them.

LXII. The Figure in which the Comet left the Earth, and which it would in some measure re∣tain ever after, was, as may be seen in the Fi∣gure, an Oval or Oblong Sphaeroid, whose longer Axis ab would determine the highest extant * 1.22 Parts of the Earth; and whose shorter Axis, cd, by a Revolution about the Center perpendicu∣larly to the longer Axis, would alike determine the lowest or most depress'd Parts thereof. When therefore as many Waters were run down into the Earth as the Apertures could receive; all that remain'd (excepting the ancient lesser Seas some∣what augmented every where) must be found in the lowest Vallies, or near the shorter Axis's Revolution, all round the Globe, composing a mighty Ocean; while the two elevated Regions, near the two ends of the longer Axis, were extant above the Waters, and compos'd those two oppo∣site Continents of the Earth, made mention of in this Proposition.

Corollary 1. 'Tis probable that America is intire∣ly separated from our Continent by the interpos'd Ocean, without any Neck of Land, by which it has been by many imagin'd to communicate with Tartary.

Coroll. 2. America was peopled from this Conti∣nent some Ages after the Deluge by Navigation. For seeing there is no Communication between us and them by Land; seeing also the Ancient Inhabitants of it pe∣rish'd intirely at the Deluge (as the Testimony of the Sacred Scriptures, the consideration of their lesser Num∣bers, and the impossibility of any Preservation of Men by an Ark any where but at the Mountain Caucasus, the highest Hill near the Center of the highest Conti∣nent in the World, appearing from what has been said, do conspire to demonstrate). 'Tis evident they must have been repeopled by Sea, from this Continent.

Coroll. 3. Navigation, tho' it was not before the Flood, or till then very inconsiderable; yet is not so wholly new and late in the World, as some imagine. Which Observation is very agreeable with the Sacred Records, which intimate no less than three Years Voy∣ages * 1.23 in the days of Solomon; and with Herodotus, who mentions a Voyage through the Red-Sea round * 1.24 Africa, and so through the Straights of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean in the days of Neco. * 1.25

LXIII. One of these Continents is considerably larger than the other.

LXIII. Since in all Tides, and so in those Pro∣tuberances which occasion'd the present Conti∣nents, that which respects the Body producing the same, is larger than its opposite one; 'tis evi∣dent, so it ought to be here, and the Continent situate about the Point b, considerably larger than the opposite one about a, agreeably to this Pro∣position.

Corollary. In this posture of the Abyss, and its incumbent Orb, the Earth is correspondent to the Egg, its ancient Symbol and Representative, not only in its inward and intire Constitution, but in some measure in its external Figure also; the resemblance between them becoming by this means in a manner Universal.

LXIV. The larger Continent lies most part on the North-side of the Equator; and the smaller, most part on the South.

LXIV. The Position of the Continents depend∣ed mainly on the time of the year when the Comet passed by. For since the Comet descended in the Plain of the Ecliptick from the Regions almost op∣posite to the Sun, and came to its nearest distance about 130 degrees onward from the Point in the Ecliptick opposite to the Sun, before which, and yet scarce till after the Comet were past 90 degrees, or the Periphery of the Ecliptick, would the Tides be great enough to burst the Orb of Earth, and fix the Centers of the Continents; By considering the place of the Earth in the Ecliptick, and counting about 100 degrees onward, one may determine the Latitude of the Point on the Earth directly expos'd to the Comet's Body, and by consequence of its opposite Point also; about which Points the two Continents lay. Now the Earth being about the middle of Taurus to an eye at the Sun (which I always in such cases suppose), at the time of the passing by of the Comet, about the middle of the second Month from the Autumnal Equinox, the lat∣ter part of Leo (being 100 degrees onward from the Point opposite to the Sun) will nearly deter∣mine the Latitude of the larger Continent d b c, as by consequence will the latter part of Aquarius that of the smaller d a c: On which accounts 'tis evident, that the larger must be mostly on the North, and the smaller mostly on the South-side of the Equator.

LXV. The Middle or Center of the North Continent is about sixteen or eighteen degrees of Northern Latitude; and that of the South about sixteen or eighteen degrees of Southern Latitude.

LXV. This Proposition (which more nicely determines that Position of the Continents which the last more generally asserted) is thus demon∣strated. Each Continent must retain that Posi∣tion which it had when its Compages was burst by the Elevation of the Abyss. Now the bursting of the Orb is to be suppos'd before the Comets nearest distance; and by consequence the Centers of the two Continents a and b ought to have the Latitude of the Points about 90, or rather nearer an 100 degrees onward beyond that opposite to the Sun, or beyond the Sun it self. So that the Cen∣ter of the Northern Continent, near the South-East point of Arabia, and of the Southern, near the Source of the vast River De la Plata, ought to be about the same Latitude with the 20^th degree of Leo, and of Aquarius, or near 16 degrees, the former of Northern, the latter of Southern Latitude, as this Proposition asserts them really to be.

Corollary 1. If therefore we were to determine the time of the Year of the Comet's passing by the Earth, or the commencing of the Deluge, from the Position of the Centers of our two opposite Continents, which depend thereon, we ought to assign it near the middle of the se∣cond Month, from the Autumnal Equinox, agreeably to the time already fixt both from the Sacred History, and the Calculations of Astronomy at the tenth Hypo∣thesis foregoing.

Coroll. 2. Hence all those Corollaries to the third and fourth Argument of the said tenth Hypothesis are mightily confirm'd: To which I refer the Reader for their second perusal; the importance of their Subject well-deserving the same at his hands.

Coroll. 3. Hence perhaps we may derive the occa∣sion of that ancient, current, and much insisted-on Tra∣dition concerning the high or elevated situation of Para∣dise; which is so very much attested to by Antiquity, * 1.26 and yet so very strange and obscure in it self. For since Paradise, as has been already prov'd, was very near that point where the Center of our Continent is, the East or Southeast Border of Arabia: And since withal, as we have shewn, the same Regions were by the Comet at the Deluge elevated more than any others on the intire Globe; and since, lastly, it would for a long time retain in good measure such its most rais'd situa∣tion, and continue higher than any other correspondent parts of the Earth; this appears a rational Occasion or Foundation of that celebrated Tradition here refer'd to: Which otherwise how to give any tolerable account of, upon any solid Principles, I confess I am, and have al∣ways been wholly to seek.

LXVI. The distance between the Continents, measuring from the larger or Northern South-Eastward, is greater than that the contrary way, or South-Westward.

LXVI. Seeing the Motion of the Comet about its nearest Position was much more considerable than the Diurnal one of the Earth; and seeing withal the greater and higher protuberance would arrive at a sufficient force to burst its incumbent Orb or Continent somewhat sooner than the lesser and lower; it will follow that the Point b would not be just opposite to the Point a, but near∣er the place q in the Figure. By which means the distance from q by c to a would be greater than from the same q by d to a; or from the Center of the greater Continent to that of the lesser South-eastward, than South-westward: Exactly as this Proposition requires.

LXVII. Neither of the Continents is terminated by a round or even circular Circumference: but mighty Creeks, Bays, and Seas running into them; and as mighty Peninsula's, Promontories, and Rocks jetting out from them, render the whole very unequal and irregular.

LXVII. If the Surface of the Earth before the Deluge had been even and smooth, without Moun∣tains and Valleys, and their Consequents, Seas and Dry Land, the passing by of the Comet must indeed, as before, have certainly caus'd a distincti∣on of the two Continents, and must have inter∣pos'd an Ocean between them; but then these two circumstances would have obtain'd also, first, that all the Waters of the intire Globe would have left the Continents, and solely compos'd an Ocean; and secondly, That the Termination or Boun∣daries of the Ocean and the Continents would have been circular, round, and even on every side. But since the Surface of the Earth was un∣even, irregular, and distinguish'd every where in∣to Mountains, Plains and Valleys, into Seas and Dry Land, the present Terraqueous Globe, with those inequalities of the Termination of each Continent mention'd in this Proposition, is a most easie and natural, nay plainly necessary result of this great Mutation at the Deluge.

Coroll. 1. Hence 'tis farther evident, that the Sur∣face of the Antediluvian Earth was not plain and even, but had those distinctions of Mountains and Val∣leys, Seas and Dry Land, which from other Arguments has been before establish'd.

Coroll. 2. Hence therefore it appears (what should have been before observ'd) that all the Earth might be Planted and Peopled before the Deluge, tho' Navigation were then either not at all, or not considerably known: There being no Ocean or separate Continents; and scarce any such thing as an Island, or Country but what with ease might be gone to by Land.

LXVIII. The depth of that Ocean which separates these two Continents, is usually greatest farthest from, and least nearest to either of the same Continents; there being a gradual descent from the Continents to the middle of the Ocean, which is the deepest of all.

LXVIII. The reason of this gradual declivity towards the middle of the Ocean, is very plain from the Figure hereto belonging. For since the Earth's Surface became in some degree an Oval, or oblong Sphaeroid, 'tis necessary that there should be (as far as the other irregularities of the Globe would permit) a descent from the ends of the longer Axis b and a, to those of the shorter c and d in their intire circumvolution, which gives a most obvious account of the present Phae∣nomenon.

LXIX. The greatest part of the Islands of the Globe are situate at small distances from the Edges of the great Continents; very few appearing near the middle of the Main Ocean.

LXIX. Since Islands are only such high Re∣gions as would be extant above the Surface of the Waters, tho' they cover'd the Neighbouring parts; and since the Ocean, as we have now shewn, was deepest in the middle between the two Continents; 'tis plain that, Caeteris paribus, the higher Regions would more frequently be extant near the Continents, than about the middle of the said Ocean; as this Proposition asserts.

LXX. The Ages of Men decreas'd about one half presently after the Deluge; and in the succeeding eight hundred or nine hundred Years, were gradually reduced to that standard at which they have stood ever since.

LXX. The first part of this is already sufficiently accounted for in that Proposition, where the causes

of the change in the duration of Mens lives at the Flood were in general enquir'd into. But the reasons of the gradual Decay in the succeeding Ages are here to be assign d. Now here 'tis not impossible that the considerably long lives of the first Postdiluvian Patriarchs might in part depend on the vigorous Constitution of their Fathers, not to be immediately impair'd to the utmost, or de∣stroy'd in their Posterity, till by degrees, and in length of time it was effected. But besides, 'tis to be consider'd, which I take to be the principal thing, that seeing the corrupted Atmosphere, with the per∣nicious Steams arising from the newly acquir'd Chaotick Crust, or Sediment of the Waters, and their unhappy Effects on the Fruits, as well as li∣ving Creatures upon the Earth, must be allow'd the occasion and cause of the shortning of Hu∣mane Life; such Regions as were freest from, or most elevated above the said Sediment, or Chaotick Atmosphere, must have chiefly continued as they were before, and so the ancient Longevity would chiefly be preserv'd therein. Which being sup∣pos'd, and what has been already advanc'd withal consider'd, this Proposition will be easy, plain, and natural; and a peculiar Attestation of the present Hypothesis. For seeing Noah and the Ark were landed on Caucasus, the most elevated Region of the Earth, and freest from the Sedi∣ment of the Waters, as well as the grossness of the Chaotick Atmosphere below, that place would scarce differ for a good while from the Antedilu∣vian State of things, and the lives of Animals would retain very near their ancient Duration; which accordingly we find was really done. Noah survived the Deluge no less than 350 Years, and compleated 950 in the whole (somewhat beyond the moderate proportion of the Antediluvians

themselves, as the Table will easily shew). But then by reason both of the descent of his Poste∣rity * 1.27 into the Plains, and lower Grounds, and principally by the gradual subsidence of those Regions themselves into the gross Atmosphere be∣low, they became gradually liable to those Dis∣eases, and that shortness of Life, which we be∣fore shew'd to have been the sad Effects thereof, and to which all Mankind has since been sub∣ject.

Corollary 1. Mankind increased vastly more soon after the Deluge than in these latter Ages of the World. * 1.28 For whereas a Country is 280 Years now in doubling its Inhabitants, had the same rate held ever since the Deluge, Mankind at this day would not have reach'd the number of two hundred thousand Souls; which yet is esteem'd to be between three and four hundred Millions, or near two thousand times as many as the said number, deducible from the present rate of the In∣crease of Mankind. So that 'tis evident, That the Antediluvian Fruitfulness, and numerous Stock of Inhabitants (which are also themselves hereby fully establish'd) must have prevail'd, servata propor∣tione, among the Primitive Postdiluvians for some Centuries, or else no Account were to be given of the present numbers of Men upon the Face of the Earth; whereby the Verity of this Proposition, the Veracity of Moses therein, the great importance thereof, and the necessity of the present Solution, and of that Theory on which it is built, are mightily con∣firm'd.

Coroll. 2. Hence we may nearly determine the Ages of Men for the first eight or nine hundred Years after the Deluge, from the length of their Lives given. Thus Job, who appears to have liv'd at the * 1.29 least between two and three hundred Years, must have been contemporary with some of the Patriarchs

between Heber and Abraham, to whom that Dura∣tion of Humane Life belong'd; and thus we may exa∣mine and determine the Ages of the most Ancient King's mention'd in Prophane Histories, from the like Duration of their Lives or Reigns, as the following Corollary will more particularly observe.

Coroll. 3. Neither the Egyptian Dynasties, nor the Assyrian Monarchy, could be coeval with the first seven or eight hundred Years after the De∣luge, none of their Kings Reigns set down by Chronolo∣gers reaching that number of Years which the length of Humane Life at that time requir'd; nay, nor any other than Kings now may, and do arrive at in these latter Ages of the World.

Coroll. 4. The Antediluvian and Postdiluvian Years mention'd in Scripture were true Years of twelve, not fictitious ones of one Month apiece, as some, that they might reduce the Age of the first Patriarchs to the short term of Life since usually attain'd to, have been willing to surmise. This fancy is strangely absurd, and contrary to the Sacred History, and in particular irreconcilable with this Proposition. For had the anci∣ent Years been Lunar, of one Month, and the latter Solar of a twelve, by which the same Duration of Humane Life had been differently measur'd; the num∣bers of Years which Men liv'd, must have alter'd in the Proportion of twelve to one of a sudden, at such a change in the Year referr'd to, and not gradually and gently, as 'tis here evident they did.

LXXI. Our upper Earth for a considerable depth, even as far as we commonly penetrate into it, is Factitious, or newly acquir'd at the Deluge: The ancient one be∣ing covered by fresh Strata or Layers of Earth at that time, and thereby spoil'd or destroy'd as tothe use and advantage of Mankind.

LXXI. 'Tis not to be suppos'd, that the Wa∣ters of the Deluge were merely the pure Ele∣ment of Water, sincere and unmix'd. What came from the Comet's Atmosphere, must partake of its earthly heterogeneous Mixtures; and what was squeez'd up from beneath, must carry up much Dirt and earthy Matter along with it. Besides which, as soon as the stormy Weather began, the soak'd and loosen'd Tops of Moun∣tains would easily, by the Winds and Waves to∣gether, be wash'd off, or carried away into the Mass of Waters, and increase the impurity and earthy mixtures thereof. On all which accounts the Waters of the Deluge would be a very im∣pure, thick, and muddy Fluid, and afford such a quantity of earthy Matter as would bear some considerable Proportion to that of the Water it self. Now this earthy Matter being heavier than the Water, would by degrees settle downwards, and compose first a mighty thick, dirty, muddy Fluid in the lower Regions of the Waters, and at last a plain earthy Sediment at the bottom of them; which would at once spoil and bury the old Surface of the Ground, and become a new Cruft or Cover on the face thereof. Now, that we may see whether this Sediment or Crust could be so thick and considerable as this Phoeno∣menon requires, lot us suppose, as before, the perpendicular height of the Waters of the De∣luge to have been three Miles above the com∣mon Surface of the Plains and Seas, and the thirtieth part only of the intire Fluid on the Face of the Earth to have been earthy Parts sit to compose the Sediment or Crust beforemen∣tion'd. Let us also remember what has been al∣ready-observ'd from Mr. Newton, That Earth is * 1.30 at least three times as dense and heavy as Wa∣ter;

so that the thirtieth part in quantity of Matter, would only take up the ninetieth part of the whole space, either in the Waters, or when 'twas setled down by it self, and became a new Crust or Orb upon the Earth. If we then di∣vide 15000, the number of Feet in the whole height of the Waters, (not here to allow for the spaces posses'd by the extant Parts of the Earth) by 90, (1500 by 9) the quotient will shew the the Crassitude or Thickness of this Sediment or Crust covering the Face of the Earth, viz. 166 2/3 Feet, one place taken with another indifferently. Which quantity fully accounts for the Proposition we are upon, and agrees with the Observations made in the Bowels of our present Earth to as great accuracy as one could desire or ex∣pect.

Corollary 1. Hence it appears, That the Earth was generally uninhabitable for several years after the Flood: This new factitious Sediment of the Waters requiring no little space of time ere it would be fully setled, its Strata consolidated, its Surface become hard and dry, and its Vegetables sprung out of it; before which time 'twere uninhabitable by Man, and the other Dry-land Animals.

Coroll. 2. Hence we may see the Care and Wis∣dom of Divine Providence for the Preservation and Maintenance of Noah, and of all the Creatures in the Ark, after their coming out of the same again; by ordering all things so, that the Ark should rest on the highest Mountain in the World, and that the Waters should so little surpass the same, that the Sediment thereof could neither spoil the Fruits of the Ground, nor render the Surface uninhabitable, as it did on the other Regions of the Earth. For since the quantity of the Sediment would generally be proportionable every where to the perpendicular height of the Waters over

the Surface of the Ground below; tho' it would co∣ver all the other Regions of the whole Earth, yet on this highest of all Mountains, (cover'd but a few Days, or perhaps Hours, with any Waters, and they never above fifteen Cubits perpendicular height) the quantity of the Sediment would here be perfectly in∣considerable, and the Earth would not be at all al∣ter'd from what it was before, nor its Vegetables hurt by this Universal Deluge. So that this, and this only was the spot of Ground capable of receiving the Ark, and of sustaining the Creatures therein, till afterwards the rest of the Earth became fit for their Descent and Habitation. To this spot therefore, by such a wonderful adjustment of all the requisite Cir∣cumstances of the Deluge, preserv'd and distinguish'd from all the rest of the World, the Divine Providence did conduct the Ark; and on this was laid the Foun∣dation of the present Race of Mankind, and of all those Terrestrial Animals, which are now on the Face of the whole Earth; which otherwise had perish'd at their Exit out of the Ark, notwithstanding their wonderful Preservation therein during the Rage of the Deluge.

Coroll. 3. Hence we may easily understand whence the Olive-branch was brought by the Dove to * 1.31 Noah. For when the Trees adjoyning to the Ark, or on the neighbouring Tops of the Hills had suffer'd small damage by the Flood, and had since the clear∣ing of the Waters enjoy'd almost the whole Spring, and half the Summer; they must be as flourishing, and full of as many new and tender Sprouts as ever; one of which might therefore be easily broken off by the Dove, and brought to Noah in her Mouth; which new, dry, and frim Sprout or Branch, being a clear evidence, that the Waters were not only gone, and the Ground dry a great while before, but that the Earth was still, as formerly, fit for the Production

of its wonted Trees and Fruits, must exceedingly tend to the Satisfaction of Noah, and the Confirmation of his Faith and Hope in an entire Deliverance, and in the future Renovation of the World.

LXXII. This Factitious Crust is universal, upon the Tops of the generality of the Mountains, as well as in the Plains and Vallies; and that in all the known Climates and Regions of the World.

LXXII. This is a necessary consequent from the Universality of the Deluge already account∣ed for. And tho' the generality of the Moun∣tains would usully have a thinner Sediment or Crust than the Plains or Vallies, in proportion to the lesser height of the Waters over each of them respectively; yet they being at the De∣luge much inferior to the height of Caucasus, must be generally cover'd with the same Crust (unless the Storms and Waves wash'd it down again after its first setling upon any of them) as the Observations shew they really now are.

Corollary 1. 'Tis hence evident, even abstracted∣ly from the Sacred History, that there has formerly been an Universal Deluge, much higher than the ge∣nerality of the Mountains. So that hereafter, since the so useful Observations of Naturalists, and princi∣pally of Dr. Woodward hereto relating, we need not endeavour to secure the Credit and Veracity of the Mosaick History of the Deluge by Ancient Records, and the universal Attestation of Antiquity; (which Testimonies yet are too evident and numerous to be de∣nied) but may from our own Eyes, at the neighbour∣ing Mines and Coal-Pits, satisfy our selves of the exact truth of this part of the Sacred Volume, which has been so much excepted against by ill-disposed Per∣sons. So wonderful is the Method of the Divine Wis∣dom

in its seasonable Attestations afforded to the Sa∣cred Scriptures! That not only the Very Day, as we have seen, when the Flood began, assign'd by Moses may still, after more than four thousand years, be prov'd from Astronomy to have been the true one; which the Learned are chiefly capable of judging of, and being primarily influenc'd by: But the Reality and Universality of the Deluge it self is demonstrable from such common and easie Observations, in all parts of the World, at the Neighbouring Mines or Coal-pits, that the Vulgar and Most Illiterate may be Eye-wit∣nesses * 1.32 of the certain Effects of it, and so fully con∣vinc'd of the fidelity of the Sacred Historian therein.

Coroll. 2. 'Tis no wonder that none of the An∣tediluvian Cities, Towns, Buildings, or other Remains are any where to be met with since the Deluge: They being all generally buried perhaps above two hundred foot deep in the Earth, by the Sediment of the Waters.

LXXIII. The Parts of the present upper Strata were, at the time of the Waters covering the Earth, loose, se∣parate, divided, and floated in the Waters among one another uncertainly.

LXXIII. This Proposition needs no farther Explication; being already plain in what has been already said.

LXXIV. All this Heterogenous Mass, thus floating in the Waters, by degrees descended downwards, and subsided to the Bottom; pretty nearly according to the Law of Specifick Gravity; and there compos'd those several Strata or Layers, of which our present upper Earth does consist.

LXXIV. This Proposition is as easie as the for∣mer; and included in what has been already said.

LXXV. Vast multitudes of Fishes, belonging both to the Seas and Rivers, perish'd at the Deluge; and their

Shells were buried among the other Bodies or Masses which subsided down, and compos'd the Layers of our upper Earth.

LXXV. Where so Heterogeneous a Mass of Corpuscles were dispers'd every where through the Waters, and towards the bottom, especially at the latter end of their subsidence, render'd the same very thick and muddy, 'tis natural to sup∣pose, that multitudes of Fishes, partly stisled with the Spissitude and grossness of the Fluid, (scarce there deserving that name;) and partly poison'd with the kinds of some of those Corpuscles which they took in together with their Nourish∣ment therein, would be destroy'd and perish in the Waters: Which being granted, the rest so easily follows as not to need any farther Explica∣tion.

LXXVI. The same Law of Specifick Gravity which was observ'd in the rest of the Mass, was also observ'd in the subsidence of the Shells of Fishes; they then sinking to∣gether with, and accordingly being now found enclos'd among those Strata or Bodies which are nearly of their own Specifick Gravities: The heavier Shells being con∣sequently still enclos'd among the heavier Strata, and the lighter Shells among the lighter Strata, in the Bowels of our present Earth.

LXXVI. This Phaeuomenon is so natural and necessary, considering the gradual increase of the thickness of the gross Sediment downward, and the equal subjection of Shells to the Law of Specifick Gravity with all other Bodies, that I shall not insist any farther upon it.

Corollary. This single Phaenomenon of the Shells of Fish inclos'd in the most Solid Bodies, as Stone and Marble, and that all over the World, according to their several Specifick Gravities, at great depths with∣in the Bowels of the Earth; which is so strange in it

self, so surprizing to the Spectators, and so unac∣countable without the most unusual and precarious Mi∣racles be introduc'd, on any other principles; and yet so easily and naturally solv'd in the Hypothesis before us; is a strong, I had almost said an Invincible Ar∣gument for the verity thereof; and as undeniable as a Physical assertion is capable of: That is, 'Tis (as far as we can in reason pronounce) without a Miracle, certainly true.

LXXVII. The Strata of Marble, of Stone, and of all other solid Bodies, attained their solidity as soon as the Sand, or other matter whereof they consist, was arriv'd at the bottom, and well setled there. And all those Strata which are solid at this day, have been so ever since that time.

LXXVII. Seeing this upper Crust or Sediment was compos'd in great part of the Earthy Cor∣puscles or Masses of a Chaos, as well as the Pri∣mitive Earth was at the Mosaick Creation: The very same reasons assignable for the coalescence and consolidation of the former, are equally to be suppos'd in the present case, and render it equally reasonable with the other. And if the Dense Fluid, or any parts or steams from that were instrumental to the Original Union of parts at the Primary Formation of the Earth, 'tis probable there was no want of it at the Deluge; The Atmosphere of the Comet, and the Fountains of the Deep, being both capable of supplying sufficient quantities, among the larger plenty of their Watery and Earthy Masses; as is plain from what has been already said. Neither in case some of it were acquir'd by the means afore∣mention'd, is it to be expected that we ought to see it still on the Face of the Earth, as we do the Ocean. For seeing this Dense Fluid is much

heavier than Water or Earth, it would be at the very bottom of all, and so either be inclosed in the Pores and Caverns at the bottom of the Sedi∣ment, or transform'd into a different Body by its composition with the Earthy parts it was en∣clos'd withal, and did consolidate.

LXXVIII. These Strata of Stone, of Chalk, of Cole, of Earth, or whatever matter they consisted of, lying thus each upon other, appear now as if they had at first been parallel, continued, and not interrupted: But as if, after some time they had been dislocated and broken on all sides of the Globe, had been elevated in some, and depress'd in other places; from whence the Fissures and Breaches, the Caverns and Grotto's, with many other irregularities within and upon our present Earth, seem to be deriv'd.

LXXVIII. When the Sediment setled down gradually upon the Surface of the Ancient Earth, it would compose Strata or Layers as even, con∣tinued, and parallel as one could desire, and as the said Surface did permit. And had the said Surface been fix'd and unalterable, this evenness and parallellism, this uniformity and continuity of the Strata would have remain'd unalterable also to this day. But since, as we have former∣ly shewn, the intire Orb of Earth was at the be∣ginning of the Deluge crack'd, chap'd, and bro∣ken; and for many years afterwards would by degrees settle and compose it self towards its for∣mer figure and rotundity again; tho' the Series and Connexion of the Strata might before they were consolidated, be as regular as you can ima∣gine, yet when the Basis or Foundation on which they rested, and the Surface on which they were spread fail'd by degrees, in several places, and proportions, by the rising of some Columns upwards, and the setling of others downwards,

this Upper Orb or Crust, where the Strata were not become intirely Solid, like Stone and Marble, must follow in great part the fate of the other, and be dislocated, elevated, or depress'd in cor∣respondence to that whereon it rested: And have thereby a Set of Chaps and Fissures directly over∣against those which were before in the Ancient Earth. But as for such places where the new Strata were become Stony or Solid, and inca∣pable of a compliance with the under Earth, by the settling downward or elevation of its imme∣diate Basis the Primitive Earth, those Caverns and Grotto's, those Caves and Hollows which appear within the Earth, or its Mountains, would na∣turally arise; while the Solid Strata, like Beams or Arches, sustain'd the impending Columns, notwithstanding the sinking and failure of their immediate Foundations; by which Causes the Surface and Upper Regions of the Earth would become very uneven, and full of small irregula∣rities, such as the present Phaenomenon assures us of.

Corollary 1. Hence we see a plain Reason why Mountainous and Stony Countries are only or princi∣pally Hollow and Cavernous: Some lesser Mountains being perhaps occasion'd by the subsidence of the neigh∣bouring Columns, and the Caverns they enclose thereby produc'd; and the Solidity of the Strata being the pro∣per Cause of such Caverns in other Cases: Of which the softer, more loose, and pliable Earth was accord∣ingly incapable.

Corollary 2. Tho' the Ancient Earth were setled, and become uneven in the same degree, and in the same places as the present is; and that before the con∣solidation of the new Sediment; yet the Series of the several Strata one under another on each side of any Fissure, would in some measure correspond to one ano∣ther,

as if the consimilar Strata had once been united, and had afterwards been broken and sunk down un∣equally; as is manifest from the consimilar situation and subsidence of the consimular Corpuscles; whereby the like order and crassitude of each Stratum might be still preserv'd, tho' not so exactly, as if the sustaining Sur∣face had been even and smooth when the Sediment compos'd those Strata, and the Fissures had afterward been made through both Orbs at once, and caus'd such inequality.

Coroll. 3. Hence would arise mighty and nume∣rous Receptacles of Water within the Earth, especially in the Mountainous parts thereof. For usually where a solid Stratum sustain'd the Earth above, while the parts beneath sunk lower, and thereby produc'd a Ca∣vern, the Waters would ouze and flow into it from all quarters, and cause a conflux or inclosed Sea of Waters in the Bowels of the Earth: Which Cavities might sometimes communicate with one another, or with the Ocean; and sometimes contain Restagnant Waters, without any outlet: All which are very agree∣able to the present Phaenomena of the Earth.

Coroll. 4. Hence appears the Reason of the raging of Earthquakes in Mountainous Countreys, and of the bursting forth and continuation of Volcano's there. For these Caverns, which we have observ'd the Moun∣tainous Countreys to be mainly liable to, are fit to re∣ceive and contain together Nitrous and Explosive, Sulphureous and Inflammable steams, in great quanti∣ties; and withal to admit the Air to fan, and assist that Explosion or Inflammation, which seems to be the occasion of those dreadful Phaenomena in our present Earth.

Coroll. 5. If therefore there be no other Caverns than these accounted for just now, and taking date from the Deluge; 'tis very probable there were few or no Volcano's or Earthquakes, so much depending on them, before the Flood.

Coroll. 6. In case what has been, or might far∣ther be said, be not found sufficient to account for some observations made, concerning the inward parts of our Earth; but Dr. Woodward's Hypothesis of the Disruption of the before united Strata, by a ge∣neral Earthquake, or the explosive force of the Steams of Heat ascending from the Central parts, be found necessary; such a supposition will by no means disagree with the present Theory. For when the Subterraneous ascending Steams were every way stop'd, and their ordinary course from the Central to the Superficiary Parts obstructed, by the new Sediment or Crust growing fast and setled, and in some places Stony and Impenetrable; they would be every where preternaturally assembled, espe∣cially in the cracks, breaches and fissures of the Ancient Earth, in greater quantities than usual, and so might by a violent Rarefaction, or Explosion, burst through the Upper Crust, and cause all those Fissures, little Hills, Caverns, Grotto's, and Inequalities which Dr. Woodwards Observations require, and this Propo∣sition takes notice of. In this case therefore the par∣ticular and distinct consideration of the Phaenome∣na, must determine and arbitrate between the former more natural and gentle, and this latter more violent and extraordinary method of accounting for the present face of Nature upon and within the Earth.

LXXIX. Great numbers of Trees, and other Vege∣tables, were also, at this subsidence of the Mass afore∣said, buried in the Bowels of the Earth: And such very often as will not grow in the places where they are lodg'd: Many of which are pretty intire and perfect. and to be distinctly seen and consider'd to this very day.

LXXIX. Seeing the latter part of the Deluge, * 1.33 after the seventeenth day of the seventh Month, or the twenty seventh day of March with us at

present, was very Windy, Stormy, and Tem∣pestuous; the most Extant and Mountainous parts of the Earth would be mightily expos'd to the fury both of the Winds and Waves: Which consequently would tear up, or wash away the loose and unsolid Upper Earth, with all its Fur∣niture of Trees and Plants; and not seldom car∣ry them great distances from their former Seats. Now these Vegetables, if no Earthy Metallick or Mineral Masses adher'd to them, being, bulk for bulk, lighter than the Earthy Sediment, would settle down last of all, and would lye upon the Surface of the Earth, and there rot away and disappear. But if considerable quantities of the heaviest Strata, or of Metallick or Mineral Matter, as would sometimes happen, adher'd to them, they would sink lower, and be inclosed in the Bowels of the Earth, either near to, or far from the place of their own growth, according as the Billows and Storms happen'd to dispose of them. All which Changes and Dislocations of the Soil and Surface, with their Fruits and Plants, might leave once Fertile Countries Bare and Barren; and lodge such Vegetables in others, which of themselves, before the new Sediment, much more since the same, were wholly incapable of such productions; according to the exigency of the Proposition before us.

LXXX. It appears from all the tokens and circumstances which are still observable about them, That all these Vegetables were torn away from their ancient Seats in the Spring time, in or about the Month of May.

LXXX. When we have already prov'd, that * 1.34 the Windy and Stormy Weather which tore up these Vegetables, did not begin till the seven∣teenth

day of the seventh Month from the Au∣tumnal Equinox; answering to our March the twenty seventh now; and when it appears that the higher any Mountain or Continent was, the less while, and in a less degree would the Waters prevail upon it; and so little sometimes as not wholly to destroy the growing Vegetables, at this due time of the Year; 'tis evident that whether the Sediment were newly setled, and had en∣clos'd them or not, so many as were torn up from these highest parts of the Earth must be in that forwardness as the Months succeeding the beginning of the Storms (April, May and June) usually bring them to, very agreeably to the Proposition before us. And that we have rightly suppos'd these Fossil Plants to have been such as grew on the elevated parts of the Earth only, (how far distant soever the fury of the Waves and Storms may have lodg'd them) and so to have been torn up by the Storms in the assigned man∣ner, appears both by the heaps in which they are frequently found crouded together, and by the kinds of Plants thus buried in the Earth: Of which latter, (tho' his opinion, according to his own Hy∣pothesis be, that all sorts were originally lodg'd in the Earth, tho' some be since perish'd) Dr. Wood∣ward's words are (in his kind and free Letter, in answer to my Queries about them) The Fossil Plants are very numerous and various, and some of them intire, and well preserv'd. I have met with many of the same Species with those, now growing on our Hills, Woods, Meadows, Heaths, &c. But none of the Water-Plants; I mean such as are peculiar to Lakes, Rivers, and the Sea. Which Testimony is a peculiar Confirmation of the present Hypothesis.

Corollary. Hence the Ancient Years beginning at the Autumnal Equinox, and the consequent com∣mencing of the Deluge, the seventeenth Day of the second Month from thence, and from the Spring, is evidenc'd by this very Observation which Dr. Wood∣ward, the Author thereof, supposes wou'd prove the contrary. So that the time of the Deluge's commen∣cing assign'd by our Hypothesis, appears at last to be confirm'd both by the Scriptures, by the Ancients, by Astronomy, by Geography, and by Natural Observation; and is consequently by so very remarkable a Concurrence and Correspondence of 'em all, put be∣yond any reasonable Doubt or Scruple.

LXXXI. All the Metals and Minerals among the Strata of our upper Earth, owe their present Frame and Or∣der to the Deluge; being repos'd therein during the time of the Waters covering the Earth, or during the Subsidence of the before-mention'd Mass.

LXXXI. This can have no difficulty in it, seeing our upper Earth is factitious, and com∣pos'd of the foresaid Sediment of the Waters of the Deluge; which including the Corpuscles of Metals and Minerals, as well as others, wou'd alike afford every one those places which they have ever since possess'd.

LXXXII. These Metals and Minerals appear differently in the Earth, according to the different manners of their first Lodgment: For sometimes they are in loose and small Particles, uncertainly inclos'd among such Masses as they chanc'd to fall down withall: At other times, some of their Corpuscles happening to occur and meet together, affix'd to each other; and several convening, aniting, and combining into one Mass, form'd those Metallick and Mineral Balls or Nodules which are now found in the Earth. And ac∣cording as the Corpuscles chanc'd to be all of a kind, or otherwise, so the Masses were more or less sim∣ple, pure, and homogeneous: And according as o∣ther

Bodies, Bones, Teeth, Shells of Fish, or the like, happen'd to come in their way, these Metal∣lick and Mineral Corpuscles assix'd to, and became conjoyn'd with 'em; either within, where it was possible, in their Hollows and Interstices; or with∣out, on their Surface and Outsides; filling the one, or covering the other. And all this in different De∣grees and Proportions, according to the different Circumstances of each individual Case.

LXXXII. All these things are but proper Effects of such a common Subsidence of all these Masses and Corpuscles together in the Chaotick Sediment as is above-mention'd: And no longer or more particular Account is necessary, or can be satisfactory, till Dr. Woodwards larger Work (which we in time hope for) affords us the Observations more nicely and particularly than we yet have them. To which, therefore, the Inquisitive Reader must be refer'd in this and the like Cases.

LXXXIII. The inward parts of the present Earth are very irregular and confus'd: One Region is chiefly Stony, another Sandy, a third Gravelly: One Coun∣try contains some certain kinds of Metals and Mine∣rals; another contains quite different Ones: Nay the same Lump or Mass of Earth not seldom contains the Corpuscles of several Metals or Minerals con∣fusedly intermixt one with another, and with its own Earthy Parts. All which Irregularities, with several others that might be observ'd, even contrary to the Law of specifick Gravity, in the placing of the different Strata of the Earth, demonstrates the original Fund or Promptuary of all this upper facti∣tious Earth, to have been in a very wild, confus'd, and Chaotick Condition.

LXXXIII. Seeing the Sediment of the Wa∣ters was compos'd of what Earthy Matter was uncertainly brought up out of the inner Earth, and of what a true and proper Chaos afforded,

these Phaenomena are as natural and accountable therefrom, as on any other mechanical Hypo∣thesis, they must appear strange, perplexing, and inexplicable to Philosophick Minds.

LXXXIV. The uppermost and lightest Stratum of Soil or Garden-Mold, as 'tis call'd, which is the proper Seminary of the Vegetable Kingdom, is since the De∣luge very thick spread usually in the Valleys and Plains, but very thin on the Ridges and Tops of Mountains: Which last for want thereof are fre∣quently stony, rocky, bare, and barren.

LXXXIV. Two plain reasons are to be gi∣ven for this Phaenomenon; (1.) The quantity of Water, and its Sediment; and by consequence of Soil or fertile Earth was less over the Moun∣tains than over the Plains and Valleys. (2.) Af∣ter the Subsidence of the Sediment, and before its entire Consolidation, the Tops of Moun∣tains were most expos'd to the fury of the Winds and Storms; which wou'd therefore more easily bear away that lightest and least united Stratum which lay uppermost in those bleak places, than in the more retir'd and skreen'd Plains and Valleys; and by diminish∣ing the Soil in the former, and thereby aug∣menting it in the latter places, most easily make all things correspond in this Proposi∣tion.

LXXXV. Of the four ancient Rivers of Paradise, two still remain in some measure; but the other two do not; or at the least are so chang'd that the Ma∣saick Description does not agree to them at pre∣sent.

LXXXV. That the great Rivers wou'd still retain in great measure their old Courses, has been observ'd already; and seeing the Foun∣tains,

and the general inequalities of the Earth, on which their Origin and Channels depend, were the same generally before as since the Deluge, there can be no doubt thereof. As to the change, with reference to the other two Rivers, If the Gulph of Persia were anciently free from Waters, and were no other than the very Country of Eden; and if the very En∣trance of that Gulph into the Persian Sea were the Garden of Eden, or Paradise, as has been be∣fore * 1.35 asserted, there can be no difficulty in the case: The Channels of these Rivers, and in∣deed of their Fellow-Branches too after their last Partition, being now under Water, and not to be enquir'd after. But tho' we shou'd al∣low that Paradise was where 'tis generally pla∣ced, near Babylon, and upon the Continent, yet will there be no wonder at the disappear∣ance of these two Rivers, which, with their Fellows, are bury'd to a sufficient depth under the Sediment we have been speaking so much of before; and so no more to be enquir'd after in this than in the former Case.

LXXXVI. Those Metals and Minerals which the Mo∣saick Description of Paradise, and of its bordering Regions, takes such particular notice of, and the Prophets so emphatically refer to, are not now met with so plentifully therein.

LXXXVI. The present upper Earth being, as we have seen, factitious, and a new Crust since the Flood covering over the ancient Surface thereof, those Primitive Treasures must lie too deep in the Bowels of the present Earth, to be easily approach'd by us, and so are entirely lost as to the use or enjoyment of Mankind.

LXXXVII. This Deluge of Waters was a sign alin∣stance of the Divine Vengoance on a wicked World, and was the effect of the peculiar and extraordinary Providence of God.

LXXXVII. Tho' the passing by of a Co∣met, and all those Effects of it in the drown∣ing of the World, of which we have so large∣ly discours'd hitherto, be not to be stil'd in the common use of the Word Miraculous; (tho' in no very improper Sense, all such Events may have that Appellation, of which before) yet is * 1.36 there the greatest reason in the World to at∣tribute this mighty Turn and Catastrophe of Na∣ture, to the Divine Providence, and the imme∣diate, voluntary, actual, interposition of God; and that in these ensuing Particulars, and on these following Accounts; which I shall be the shorter upon, as having in the place fore-men∣tion'd explain'd my Mind somewhat largely about things of this Nature. (1.) The Bodies made use of in this and the like Changes of Nature, are originally the Creatures of God, and continually preserv'd by Him; and so what they are instrumental in, ought most justly to be ascrib'd to the principal Cause, the great Creator and Conservator of 'em all. (2.) All those powers of Attraction or Gravitation, &c. and those Laws of Motion by which these Bodies are capable of producing such Effects, are alike owing to the Divine Operation, Ap∣pointment, and Efficacy, both in their primi∣tive Impression, and continual Energy; and so still the Effects themselves are to be a∣scrib'd to a Divine Original. (3.) That parti∣cular Constitution of the Earth on the Face of the fluid Abyss, and other such Dispositions,

whereby it became subject to a universal De∣luge, were also the Consequents of the Divine Power and Providence in the formation of the Earth. (4.) That peculiar Situation or Constitution of the Orbits and Motions of Comets, whereby they, by reason of their passing thro' the Planetary System each Revo∣lution are fit to cause such great Mutations in it, was the Effect of the particualr Order and Disposition of God, in the primary frame of the Universe. (5.) The Coincidence of the Plain of a Comet's Orbit with that of the Ecliptick, can have no other Foundation in Nature, than a like design'd and contriv'd Ap∣pointment of God. (6.) The way of the Co∣met's Motion from East to West, contrary to that of the Planets, by which the Particulars of the Deluge were in good Measure provi∣ded for, cou'd also be nothing but the Effect of the same Design and Providence of God. (7.) The so nice and exact adjustment of the Motions of both the Comet and the Earth; that the former shou'd pass just so near, and impart such a certain quantity of Waters, and not more or less than wou'd drown the World, and just cover the highest Mountain, and yet reach no farther; in short, as wou'd secure the Ark for future Generations, and yet not leave one dry-land Animal besides alive; this exactness is a most peculiar and strange Effect of the most wise and sagacious Providence of God in this mighty Revolution. But (8.) Lastly, (to omit repeating some things before observ'd as we pass'd along) The precise time of the passing by of the Comet, and thereby of destroying the World, is, in the most pecu∣liar manner, and highest degree, the result of

the Divine Providence. That exactly at a time which was fit and proper, and in an Age that justly deserv'd so great a Judgment, the Comet shou'd come by, and over-whelm the World, is very remarkably and extraordi∣narily the Finger of God himself. That Om∣nilscient Being, who foresaw when the dege∣neracy of Human Nature wou'd be arriv'd at an unsufferable degree of Wickedness, the Ini∣quities of the World wou'd be compleatly full; and when consequently his Vengeance ought to fall upon them, praedisposed and praeadapt∣ed the Orbits and Motions of both the Comet and the Earth, so that at that very time, and only at that time, the former shou'd pass close by the latter, and bring that dreadful Punish∣ment upon them. Had not God Almighty on purpose thus adjusted the Moments and Cour∣ses of each, 'twere infinite odds that such a Conjunction or Coincidence of a Comet and a Planet, wou'd never have happen'd during the whole space, between the Creation and Conflagration of this World; much more at such a critical Point of time when Mankind, by their unparallell'd Wickedness were deserving of, and only dispos'd for this unparallell'd Ven∣geance, no less than almost an utter Excision.

And this I take to be the Secret of the Di∣vine Providence in the Government of the World, and that whereby the Rewards and Punishments of God's Mercy and Justice are distributed to his Rational Creatures, without any disturbance of the setled Course of Na∣ture, or a miraculous interposition on every Occasion. Our Imperfection is such, that we can only act pro re natâ, can never know be∣fore-hand the Behavious or Actions of Men;

neither can we foresee what Circumstances and Conjunctures will happen at any certain time hereafter; and so we cannot provide for future Events, nor praedispose things in such a manner that every one shall be dealt with, or every thing done no otherwise than if we were then alive and present, we shou'd think proper and reasonable, and shou'd actually do. But in the Divine Operation 'tis quite other∣wise: God's Praescience enables him to act af∣ter a more sublime manner; and by a constant Course of Nature, and Chain of Mechanical Causes, to do every thing so as it shall not be distinguishable from a particular Interposition of his Power, nor be otherwise than on such a particular Interposition wou'd have been brought to pass. He who has created all things, and given them their several Powers and Faculties, foresees the Effects of 'em all: At once looks through the intire Train of future Causes, Actions, and Events, and sees at what Periods, and in what manner twill be necessa∣ry and expedient to bring about any changes, bestow any Mercies, or inflict any Punishments on the World: Which being unquestionably true, 'tis evident he can as well provide and praedispose natural Causes for those Mutations, Mercies, or Judgments before-hand; he can as easily put the Machin into such Motions as shall, without a necessity of his mending or correcting it, correspond to all these foreseen Events or Action, as make way for such Al∣terations afterward by giving a random force to the whole: And when these two ways are equally possible, I need not say which is most agreeable to the Divine Perfections, and most worthy of God. So that when the Uni∣versal

Course of Nature, with all the Powers and Effects thereof, were at first deriv'd from, and are continually upheld by God; and when nothing falls out any otherwise, or at any other time, than was determin'd by Di∣vine Appointment in the Primitive Formation of the Universe: To assign Physical and Me∣chanical causes for the Deluge, or such mighty Judgments of God upon the Wicked, is so far from taking away the Divine Providence there∣in, that it supposes and demonstrates its In∣terest in a more Noble, Wise, and Divine manner than the bringing in a miraculous Power wou'd do. Let us suppose a Fulmen or Thunderbolt originally, and on purpose, put into such a Motion, as without any farther Interposition of Providence, wou'd direct it to the Head of a Blasphemer; and whilst he was cursing his Maker, strike him dead upon the Spot; which the Praescience and Power of God shew to be equally possible with a pre∣sent Miracle: I think such a violent Death wou'd be as properly extraordinary, and a Di∣vine Judgment, as any other whatsoever: Which I take to have been the very case of the Deluge, which I am here peculiarly concern'd about. Nature is God's Constitu∣tion, and ever subservient to him; and the state of the Natural is always accommodated to that of the Moral World. What is done by Nature, and second Causes, is most pro∣perly done by God at last, who is ultimate∣ly and really almost all we can mean by those Names.

Corollary. What has been here said upon this Occasion, if rightly understood and apply'd to all other Cases, would clear our Minds from many

of those Perplexities about the Divine Providence which are ready to disturb 'em. For Instance: We pray to God for fruitful Seasons, for Health, for Peace, for the Success of our Endeavours, for a Blessing on our Food and Physick, and deprecate the contrary Miseries from us. Yet at the same time we see the Seasons depend on the settled Course of the Sun, or other natural and necessary Causes; we find our Health or Sickness to be the proper Effects of our Diet and Regiment; we observe Peace and War subject to the Intrigues of Princes, and the plain Results of visible Conjunctures in Humane Affairs; we know that Worldly Prudence and Cun∣ning has a main Stroke in the Success of Mens Labours; we feel the advantagious Effects of some Food and Physick, and have Reason to believe the same does very much result from the Goodness of the Druggs, the Fitness of the Proportion, the Dis∣position of the Body, and the Skill of the Physici∣an, and can frequently give a plain and mechanical Rea∣son of the different Operations of all those things; neither do we hope for the Exercise of a miraculous Power in these or the like Cases. The Considera∣tion and Comparison of all these things together frequently puzzles the Minds of good Men, especi∣ally those that are more Contemplative and Philoso∣phical, and makes 'em wonder what Interest our Devotions, or what Advantage our Prayers can have. Second Causes will work according to their Natures, let Mens Supplications be never so impor∣tunate: And to expect a Miracle in answer to e∣very Petition, is more than the most Religious dare pretend to. This Dilemma has had a contra∣ry Effect upon the Minds of Men, while the Phi∣losopher was in Danger of doubting of the Suc∣cess, and so ready to grow cold in his Devotions and the more unthinking, yet not less religious Man

rejected the Consideration of the Manner, or the Operation of second Causes, and more wisely look'd up only to God, and imagin'd him immediately con∣cern'd in every Occurrence, and on that Principle doubted not the Effect of his Prayers. But 'tis, me∣thinks, evident that neither of these were exactly in the Right; and equally so, that the due Considerati∣on of what has been above-said, would prevent the Dilemma, and take away all reasonable Scru∣ple. 'Tis true that Natural Causes will operate as usual: 'Tis also true that Miracles are not ordinari∣ly to be expected: But withal 'tis as true that the same all-wise Creator, who appointed that constant Course of Nature, foresaw at the same time all those Dispositions of Men, and in particular those Devo∣tions of his Worshippers, to which suitable Rewards were to be provided, and suitable Answers return∣ed; and therefore so order'd the Series of Na∣tural Causes, as to make that very Provision for the same which otherwise he would have done by the mi∣raculous Interposition of his Providence; and which therefore is equally to be asscrib'd to him with the greatest Wonders. 'Tis true, the Frame of Na∣ture is now constant and settled: But 'tis true al∣so that it was so settled on the Prospect of the mo∣ral Behaviour, and in Correspondence to the good or bad Actions of Mankind, foreseen and praesuppo∣sed in the Primitive Constitution of all; and by Consequence whataever Benefits or Afflictions the con∣stant Course of Nature and second Causes bring to us, are equally capable to be the Matter of our Prayers or Deprecations of our Humiliation or Grati∣tude before God, as the immediate Effects of a miraculous Power; and the Divine Providence no less to be acknowledg'd and address'd to in the former than in the latter Case: But because our Imperfe∣ction is so great that the Consideration of the

Priority of the future Actions, Men to the Prae∣science of God in the Order of Nature; and the De∣pendence of the latter on the former, is too high for our Comprehension, and tho' demonstrable by, yet in∣scrutable to the Reason of Mankind; and because we are therefore still ready to conceive what is fore∣known by God to be necessary and inevitable; let the moral Behaviour of Men be as it will: Because I say this Praescience of God is too Divine a thing to be easily penetrated and aply'd by us to all Oc∣casions. I confess 'tis the most obvious and the most prudent, as well as the most Scriptural Way to keep within our Faculties, and alway to suppose an im∣mediate Exerting of a new Power in every new Turn in the World, and without the troublesome Inquisition into the Nature and Design of the Pri∣mitive Constitution of the Material World, to refer all things to an immediate Providence: Into which every one must ultimately and originally be re∣solv'd, and which has as well and as congruously taken care of all Events, as if such a mi∣raculous Efficiency were really concern'd on every individual Occasion. Which whole Matter thus explain'd may be of Use to those who through the not understanding the Method of the Divine Providence, and its Consistency with an uninterrupt∣ed Course of Nature, have perplex'd their own Minds, and endanger'd their Religion: Which per∣nicious scruples true Philosophy, when rightly un∣derstood, is the only Means of dispelling and pre∣venting. Nothing being more true or momentous than this, that 'Tis as ever our Ignorance or Mi∣stakes only, that fully the Providence of God, or diminish our Religious Affections to him.

LXXXVIII. Tho' the Moon might perhaps undergo some such Changes at the Deluge as the Earth; yet that Face or Hemisphere which is towards the Earth, and which is alone expos'd to our View, has not ac∣quir'd any such gross Atmosphere or Clouds, as our Earth has now about it, and which are here suppos'd to have been acquir'd at the Deluge.

LXXXVIII. Seing the Moon appears to be of a Constitution so like that of the Earth, and seeing she is so near a Neighbour and constant Companion thereof, she seems at first Sight liable to the same Catastrophe with the Earth at the Deluge. But that we may consider how far the Comet could affect her, we must remem∣ber that at the first Passage of the Comet, Her Situation seems almost dipos'd to convey her just after the Earth along that large void Cylindrical Space, whose Vapours the Earth had intercepted, and born away before it, as by comparing the 2d and 4th Figures is easie to understand. Be∣sides, tho' she caught her Share of the Vapours from the Atmosphere and Tail of the Comet, yet her Mountains are so much higher, compar'd with those on Earth, that at the most only an inconsiderable Inundation of Waters on one He∣misphere, not an universal Deluge were to be suppos'd: For, lastly, by Reason of the Slow∣ness of her Diurnal Revolution those Vapours * 1.37 which were caught by one Hemisphere (and in∣deed by very little more than one at the utmost) would fall near the same Places in Rain, which they at first fell upon when Vapour; and still affect little more than a single Hemisphere thereof. So that the most that can be suppos'd of the Moon's Deluge, is, that the lower Grounds on one Hemisphere should be overflow'd; espe∣cially if we except the second Passage through

the Tail of the Comet after its Perihelium: For it must be confess'd that those secondary and less principal Rains of about 97 Days Continuance, which we before observ'd the Earth to have been liable to, must needs be allow'd to have affected the Moon also; and seeing from them the Impurities and Commotions of our Atmosphere appear to have been deriv'd, it seems at first View necessary that the Moon should have acquir'd such a gross Atmosphere, such Clouds and Meteors as we saw the Earth did at the same time; which looks very unlike to her Phaenomena, or the latter Part of this Proposition we are now upon. But this Difficulty which at first sight seems so formida∣ble, will intirely vanish if we observe the then Position of the Moon, and thence consider which Hemisphere would be affected therewith. For (as we before in Part observ'd) the Moon * 1.38 wanted but two or three Days of the New, when she with the Earth pass'd the second time thro' the Tail of the Comet; and by Conse∣quence the Vapours ascending from the Sun fell pretty exactly upon that Hemisphere of the Moon, which is never expos'd to the Earth; with∣out Affecting that which we can observe, and with which we are alone concern'd. In a Word, in this second Passage, the Moon ought to have acquir'd a gross Atmosphere on the opposite He∣misphere and its bordering Parts, the Limb of her Body, while the visible Hemisphere retain∣ed its ancient Purity and Clearness: The latter Part of which is known to be true; and if the Reader consults the Right Reverend and * 1.39 Learned Author quoted in the Margent, he may see reason to esteem the other very probable also; which is, I think, abundantly sufficient to clear this Matter.

LXXXIX. Since the Deluge there neither has been, nor will be any great and general Changes in the State of the World, till the time when a Peri∣od is to be put to the present Course of Na∣ture.

LXXXIX. Seeing we know no other Na∣tural Causes that can produce any great and general Changes in our Sublunary World, but such Bodies as can approach to the Earth, or, in other Words, but Comets; and seeing withal, the next Approach of the Comet, will, in probability, bring the present State of things to a Conclusion, and Burn the World; of which presently: 'Tis evident the Earth is se∣cure enough all the intermediate space: And as hitherto we accordingly find it has been, so we need not fear but it will be, preserv'd till the foremention'd Conflagration.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vid. Fig. 1, & 4, & 7.
• * 1.2

  Hypoth. 10. priùs.
• * 1.3

  Lem. 82, 83. priùs. Fig. 7.
• * 1.4

  Vid. Schol. post Hy∣poth. 10. priùs.
• * 1.5

  Lem. 82. priùs.
• * 1.6

  Vid Essay Pa. 121, &c and Pa. 15••.
• * 1.7

  Lem. 75, 76. priùs.
• * 1.8

  Solut. 6 priùs.
• * 1.9

  Newt. p. 290, &c.
• * 1.10

  Solut 65. infrà Fig. 7.
• * 1.11

  Ccroll. 1. Schol. post Hy∣poth. 10. priùs. Fig. 1.
• * 1.12

  Phaenom.
• * 1.13

  Phaenom. 39. priùs.
• * 1.14

  Coroll. 3.
• * 1.15

  Lem. 65. priùs.
• * 1.16

  Vid. Solu. 59. infrà.
• * 1.17

  Gen. vii. 20.
• * 1.18

  Gen. vii. ult. & viii. 1, 2, 3, 4.
• * 1.19

  Fig. 7.
• * 1.20

  Geolog. p. 329, 330. and De∣fence, p. 171, 172.
• * 1.21

  Lem. 78. cum Co∣roll. & So∣lut. 6. priùs.
• * 1.22

  Fig. 7
• * 1.23

  1 Kings x. 22.
• * 1.24

  2 Chron. ix. 21.
• * 1.25

  L. 4. c. 42, 43.
• * 1.26

  Theor. l. 2. c. 9.
• * 1.27

  Gen. xi, 2.
• * 1.28

  Graunt. p. 59, 85, 86.
• * 1.29

  Job 42. 16.
• * 1.30

  Hypoth. 2. priùs.
• * 1.31

  Gen. viii. 11.
• * 1.32

  Vid. Bent∣ley's Serm. 4. p. 34, 35.
• * 1.33

  Solut. 56. priùs.
• * 1.34

  Solut. 56. priùs.
• * 1.35

  Hypoth. 4. priùs.
• * 1.36

  Vid. So∣lut. 2. priùs.
• * 1.37

  Lem. 39. priùs.
• * 1.38

  Coral. 5. Schol. post Hy∣poth. 10. priùs.
• * 1.39

  Bp. Wilk. New World. Lib. 1. Prop. 10.