Geologia, or, A discourse concerning the earth before the deluge wherein the form and properties ascribed to it, in a book intitlued The theory of the earth, are excepted against ... / by Erasmus Warren ...

CHAP. XVII.

1. The Positiveness of the Theory. 2. Noted in the English Edition of it. 3. Its Authors Inten∣tions laudable. 4. The Conclusion.

1. HAving gone over the several Vital or Pri∣mary Assertions of the Theory; I shall now only desire leave, briefly to note the Positiveness of it. It being indeed of an unusual Strain, and such as is seldom found in a new Hypothesis; especially at its first setting up, and sallying out into the World.

2. This Positiveness is very apparent, both in the Latin, and English Editions of the Theory. But I shall observe it only in the latter; that coming out after the other, and so with more deliberation and mature thoughts of things. It there discovers it self in such Passages as these:

I am willing to add here a Chapter or two, to shew that what we have delivered is more than an Idea, and that it was in this very way that Noah's Deluge came to pass, pag. 79.

As we do not think it an unhappy discovery to have found out (with a moral certainty) the seat of the Mosaical Abyss,—so this gives us a great assurance, that the Theory we have given of a general Deluge, is not a meer Idea, but is to be appropriated to the Deluge of Noah, as a true ex∣plication of it, pag. 84.

That our Description is a reality, both as to the Antediluvian Earth, and as to the Deluge, we may farther be convinc'd from St. Peter's Discourse, pag. 85.

We may safely conclude that this is no imaginary Idea, but a true account of that ancient Flood whereof Moses hath left us the History, ibid.

If they (the ancient Earth and Abyss) were in no other form, nor other state, than what they are under now, the expressions of the sacred Writers concerning them are very strange and in∣accountable; without any sufficient ground, or any just occasion for such uncouth representations. I fear there is something more than Positiveness in this clause; which occurs, pag. 93.

We have proved our Explication of the Deluge to be more than an Idea, or to be a true piece of Natural History; and it may be the greatest and most remarkable that hath been since the beginning of the World. We have shown it to be the real ac∣count of Noah's Flood, pag. 96.

I confess, for my own part, when I observe how easily and naturally this Hypothesis doth ap∣ply it self to all the particularities of this Earth, hits and falls in so luckily and surprizingly with all the odd postures of its parts, I cannot, without violence, bear off my mind from fully assenting to it, pag. 113.

To speak the truth, this Theory is something more than a bare Hypothesis, pag. 149.

It will never be beaten out of my head, but that St. Peter hath made the same distinction (we make of the Antediluvian Earth and Heavens from the Postdiluvian) sixteen hundred years since, and to

the very same purpose; so that we have sure footing here again, and the Theory riseth above the Cha∣racter of a bare Hypothesis.—We must in equity give more than a moral certitude to this Theo∣ry, pag. 150.

I think there is nothing but the uncouthness of the thing to some Mens understandings, the custom of thinking otherwise, and the uneasiness of entring into a new sett of thoughts, that can be a bar or hindrance to its reception, pag. 170.

The Theory carries its own light and proof with it, pag. 274.

These are the Vitals of the Theory, and the Primary Assertions whereof I do freely profess my full belief, pag. 288.

Now I confess, I should have been much at a loss, whither to impute such extraordinary positive confidence, as shows it self (by these excerptions) in a Man so ingenious, touching things so precari∣ous; had he not told me in this Maxim of his own: A strong inclination, with a little evidence, is equivalent to a strong evidence, pag. 297. Which considered; we need not wonder that strong Per∣swasions should sometimes be built upon weak grounds. Or to speak it in the Theorists next words; we are not to be surprised, if we find Men confident in their Opinions many times far beyond the degree of their evidence.

3. Yet that his Intentions, in conposing and pub∣lishing his Book, were good and laudable; we have no reason to doubt. His own Declaration speaks them so. I have no other design than to contribute my endeavours to find out the truth in a subject of so

great importance, and wherein the World hath hitherto had so little Satisfaction, pag. 97. A noble aim; but he that would cleverly hit the mark, must be∣ware of shooting through S••ripture, and wounding it at the rate the Theorist has done.

4. To Conclude. If so be, sincere and upright Intentions will justifie the failures of a Pen, and in any measure serve to extenuate or excuse them; I can take up that Plea in behalf of mine. And whereas in the new Explication of the Deluge, I may seem to have run out into a kind of lax interpretation of one or two Texts of Holy Scripture; I have suf∣ficiently apologiz'd for that excursion already, by owning that (besides it is necessary to expound those Scriptures a new way, upon the account of the old Hypothesis of the Flood) it was made but to vie with the Theory; and to try if we could hit upon ano∣ther way of explaining the Deluge that might pass for rational and intelligible. And therefore I only add this, which I do most heartily, I had rather, much rather my Papers should be burnt to Ashes, and my self with them; than that I should knowingly and wilfully write any thing, in way of opposition to, depravation of, or derogation from, any Divine Truth.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

FINIS.