A new and cleer discovery, of the true, and proper, natural cause, of the ebbing and flowing of the main sea.: Convincingly held forth, both from Scripture and reason. So as any rational man, may easily apprehend, the proper cause on its flucnt [sic] motion: and that it is not the Moon, as some have imagined, and gone about to prove. / Written by Ellis Bradshawe of the Parish of Boulton in the County of Lancaster, Husbandman.

A new and clear discovery of the true, and proper, and natural cause of the ebbing and flowing of the maine Sea.

THE great Lord of Heaven and Earth, that hath made all things for his own sake, requireth praise, and will have glory from all his works, Psal. 148. Yea all his works [do] praise him, as Psal. 1▪ 5.10. And his Saints blesse him yea, they shall speak of the glory of his Kingdom, and talk of his power, to make known to the sonnes of men, his mighty acts, and the glo∣rious Majesty of his kingdome, vers. 11, 12. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatnesse is unsearchable verse 3. One generation should praise his works to another, and declare his mighty acts, 4. vers. 5, 6, 7. Yea they shall speak of the might of his terrible acts, and I (also) will declare his great∣nesse, verse 5. The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the formament sheweth his handy work, and that day by day, from the first creation, as Psal. 19.

Yea the invisible things of God, are clearly seen, being consi∣dered in his works; and understood by the things that are made; even his eternall power and God-head; so that all nations are without excuse, as Rom. 1▪ 20. And wo unto us, if we despise his name, and do not reverence, and feare that great and fear∣full name, even the Lord our God.

But mark: The invisible things of God, are clearly understood by the things that are made, if considered,* 1.1 &c. But without con∣sideration how little understanding, or knowledge of God, and of his power, and greatnesse, can we attain unto? Give me leave therefore, in the words, and name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to invite him that readeth, that he would consider: yea, thou whomsoever that readest, consider; for if thou look at things without consideration, thou mayst easily conceive, that the Sun, or Moon, are no broader, nor bigger, then thou canst make a Cheese; if thou dost not consider, or that thou hast not know∣ledge of their distance from the earth; But dost judge by sence,

and without rationall consideration, like a rationall creature?

And so in like manner if thou judge by sense, and hast not tra∣vaild, thou mayst possibly think, unlesse thou beleevest others, that the earth is little broader, then thou canst see about thee, on every side; or thou mayst think as many that are dull and igno∣rant; that it is not round, like the compasse of a ball, but broad, and thin, and narrow likewise. And if thou dost not consider, thou wilt hardly beleeve, no though it be told thee, That God hath stretched out the North over the empty place,* 1.2 and hanged the Earth upon nothing. Thou wilt hardly beleeve; If thou dost not consider, that the Heavens are still in constant motion, about the earth, and that it is loose on every side, and at the ends likewise, like a great Ball in the midst of the Heavens. Nor that the Earth and Waters make but one Ball, the liquid water tending as di∣rectly to the center of the earth, as doth any part of the Earth it self.

Let me therefore intreat thee, to consider seriously of these great things: though thou never formerly, hast thought thus far. And thou maist yet be capable of greater things, which thou hast never heard, nor seen before; and mayst therein discover the infinite greatnesse and power of God, and so be brought to feare him: And the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome: And so thou mayst be wise; yea, and wise for thy self; yea, wise and happy unto all eternity. If thou wilt not [be] and [de∣mean] thy self, like one of those fooles, that do hate knowledge, as Prov. 1.7. and that will not chuse the feare of the Lord.

For thou canst not see him by going forward, backward, on the right hand, left hand, where he doth works; unlesse thou consider who it is that worketh, and that it is no other but his invisible hand that worketh all, things according to the counsell of his own will. But when Job considered, he was troubled at his presence, yea, when he considered, he was afraid of him, Job 23 3, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15.

Consider therefore, with awfull respects to the great Lord, both of Heaven and Earth; and thou shalt understand;

That the Earth and Waters, the Sea and dry Land, are still a∣like, in equall, constant, and continuall motion, from the very be∣ginning till this present day: yea, since he gathered the wa∣ters into one place, and let the dry land appear; the sawe still

kept, an equall, constant, and continuall motion; save only that time whilst Noahs Flood was upon the earth.

But it will be demanded, what I mean by this, that they have kept motion.

I answer briefly; That as the Sea riseth and accordingly flow∣eth, ascending higher from the center of the earth; and that at every short, where it is not streightned, as so it doth twise in 24. hours, and that in all places throughout the world, as the Sea∣men know.

Even so accordingly, and at the same time, doth the Earth de∣scend, and as it were close it self, or sink downwards, so much nearer to the middle, or center of the Earth, as the Sea ariseth, or ascendeth from it, directly upwards on every side. So that as the Sea ebbs, the Earth ascends, and as the Earth descends the Sea flowes, or riseth higher, and that at every shore.

For as the Earth closeth all the parts of it towards the center, it presseth forth the liquid waters from the Bowels of the Earth; and as the Earth riseth, or ascendeth again, it openeth place, in the Bo∣wels of the Earth, for descension of the Sea, that it may fall, or ebb, or descend lower at every shore, as we may daily see that it con∣stantly doth in all the world, where the main Sea commeth, and as the Marriners know.

Quest. But it will be demanded how it can be known, that it doth thus move, and that it is not a fiction, or device of mans brain, but a reall truth, clearly demonstrated from Scripture and Reason.

Answ. I answer breifly; That I only learned, and understood this secret, through consideration of certain places, and testimo∣nies of sacred Sciptures, which in my apprehension are clear grounds, being compared together, to assure the truth of this great secret, which hath long been hid from the wise and learned. Which sacred testimonies are briefly these. It is written Psal. 104. speaking of God, who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters. That he laid the foundations of the earth that it should not be removed for ever. And that he covered it with the deep, as with a garment, the waters (saith he) stood above the mountains, to wit, in the beginning, as Gen. 1.9. and at Noahs flood, as Gen. 7.20. Psal. 104.6. and Job 38.8.10, 11.

And again, At thy rebuke they fled, (meaning the waters) at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away: They go up by the Mountains, they go down by the Vallies, to the place which thou hast founded for them: Thou hast set a bound which they shall not passe over; that they turn not again to cover the earth, as vers. 6, 7, 8, 9. Which words of Scripture in the old translation are something different, but far more plain to my apprehension, and more sutable to the Scriptures, to which they relate; for they are after this manner; to wit, beginning at vers. 6. saith he, Thou coucredst it with the deep as with a garment; the water, would stand above the Mountains: But at thy rebuke they fly, at the voyce of thy thunder they haste away: And the Moun∣tains ascend, and the Vallies descend to the place which thou hast appointed for them. From which it plainly appears in my ap∣prehension; and hence I first concluded.

That the waters naturally, as at the first Creation, Gen. 1.2.9. would stand above the mountaines, as they did also, at Noahs Floud; for they being lighter, and more soft and liquid, than the massie earth, cannot tend so strongly, nor presse so heavily to∣wards the Center, or middle of the earth, as the earth it selfe, towards which Center, all heavy substances below the Moon, doe naturally tend, by the ordinance of God, whose essentiall word directeth all things to their proper places, according to his will, which caused their subsistence: For, else with God, there is no way upward, nor any way downward, any more than other, but onely in regard of their proper tendency, at his appointment; for all the Planets, are as solid materials, as either the earth, or wa∣ters, and yet are moved about in a circular motion, yet comming no neerer to the Center of the Earth at the last, then at first,

So that the Earth naturally, being of an heavier nature, than the liquid Sea, doth tend more strongly to the Center thereof, and would presse forth all the liquid waters, from the womb, or bowels, or center thereof, which is the proper place broken up for it, as these Scriptures shew, and will make to appeare, Job 38.10.8. & Psal. 24.1, 2. For who (saith the Lord) hath shut up the Sea with doores? when it brake forth as if it had issu∣ed out of the womb, as (it did at Noahs Floud) And (saith he) when I brake up for it my decreed place, and set barres and doores, and said, hitherto shalt thou come, but no further, and here

shall thy proud waves be staid, as verse 10, 11. & Chap. 26.10. So also Prov. 8.28, 29.

From whence it appeares, that the womb of the earth, is the decreed place, broken up for it at the first Creation, when God said, Let the waters under the Heavens be gathered together in∣to one place, and let the dry land appeare; and it was so, Gen. 1.9. And when all the Fountaines of the great deep were broken up, to wit, at Noahs Floud, and that the Sea brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb, as Job 38.8. Gen. 7.11.

For when the waters abated from off the Earth, it is said, That the Fountaines of the great deep, were stopped; and, that the wa∣ters returned from off the earth continually, as Gen. 8.2, 3. They returned to the place, yea, even the decreed place, which the Lord in the beginning had appontied for them, as Psal. 104.8.

Cons. Therefore it followes, that the womb of the earth, being the decreed place, broken up for it, out of which it issued, when it overflowed, and into which it returned, when it ebbed, or a∣bated.

That it doth so now, even in like manner, so farre forth as it ebs and flowes, I say, it issueth forth from the womb of the earth, when it flowes, or riseth at every shore; And it returnes againe into the womb of the earth, when it abateth, or ebs, or falleth againe at every shore; For he hath founded the earth upon the waters, see Psal, 24.1, 2. And for clearer satisfaction, that this is so, consider this text, Psal. 104.8. where the Psalmist speak∣eth in the present tense, saying, And the mountaines ascend, and the valleyes descend, to the place which thou hast appointed for them.

Which to my apprehension, is as much fully, as if he should have said;

The Earth riseth, and the Sea falls, or goeth down by the val∣leys, to the place which he hath appointed for them; yea, they doe thus continually, for so it is spoken in the present tense: And that though they thus doe, he hath set them a bound, which they shall not passe, For they shall not returne to cover the earth; vers. 9. For though by their owne nature, they would flow, and ascend, till they covered the tops of the highest mountanes, as vers. 6. & Gen. 1.2 9. yet when they come to the height which God hath appointed, the Earth riseth, and ascendeth upward, e∣very

part of it, from the Center thereof, or from the womb there∣of, and so enlargeth again the womb of the Earth, and the valleys, or channels of the main Ocean, for receiving of the waters till they be abated, and fallen so farre as they use to ebbe, as God hath appointed: And then the earth falling, or sinking downe∣wards, doth againe streighten the womb of the Earth, and the valleys also, and channels of the Sea, pressing forth the waters to their height againe, from the springs, or fountaines of the great deep, to every side, or shore, as Job 38.16. & Gen 7.11. by an equall motion of the earth, and waters, as hath been said be∣fore; for being pressed forth by the weight of the Earth, when it quietly descends, the water springeth forth in some places, as the Mariners know, that the Sea boyleth up like a hill of water, falling downe from it like a running Tide; and that every way from such springing place, that they can scarce saile directly o∣ver it, till they come to the midst of such spring, or fountain, though they have a strong, and a direct wind; But when they come to the middle, then they can saile so much the more swifdy, as both with wind, and tide, whiles the Sea is flowing, till it ebbe againe. And thus it is found in the very middle of the main Sea, in many places; and these are called in Scripture Language, the Springs of the Sea, as Job 38.16. And it is therefore said of God, that by his wisedome, the depths are broken up, Prov. 3.20. And he is also said to have strengthened the Fountaines of the deep, Prov. 8.28.

And againe, Psal. 24.1, 2. it is clearely asserted, That the Earth is the Lords, and the fulnesse thereof, the World, and them that dwell, therein; and the reason is rendred to prove it so, for (saith he) He hath founded it upon the Seas, and establisted it up∣on the Flouds.

From whence it plainely appeares, that the Earth is situate, founded, and established, even upon the Seas, and upon the Flouds, as if all the parts or peices of the earth, did but natu∣rally swim, or float on the waters, like so many ships, founded, or situate, or lying thereupon.

For it is without all controversie, that the earth never closeth, or so farre streightneth the womb, or bowels, or clefts thereof, as to presse forth all those liquid waters of the main Ocean, for then, as hath been said, The waters would stand above the moun∣taines,

as Psali 104.6. as they did at first, till their decreed place was broken up for them, as Gen. 1.2.9.

But when the parts of the earth are so farre descended, as to presse down the waters, to the bounds decreed, which they must not passe, nor return again to cover the earth.

Then, as hath bin said, by the power of God, the parts of the earth do again ascend, and so the Sea is withdrawn, and falleth down∣wards, returning againe to its decreed place, in a constant, equall, continued motion, from the very beginning; as no man (I hope) that once apprehendeth these considerations, but will confesse, that it is most likely to be ordered, and moved after this manner, and no wayes else, especially considering these Scripture grounds.

And thus much briefly for Scripture grounds, which are fully satisfactory to any rationall man, that this is the manner, and way, and motion, both of the Earth, and Sea, equally moving by the power of God, by the word of his power, to wit, his essential word. as Heb. 1.3.

But for fuller satisfaction, consider also these reasons following, to prove that it must needs be thus, and cannot possibly be o∣therwise, unlesse God should excercise his miraculous, and crea∣ting power from the very beginning, which that he doth not, as Gen. 2 2. For he rested the seventh day.

1 Reason. For whither else can so mighty a bulk, or measure of water, as doth increase or raise the whole Sea to such a height of plumb directly upwards, as 6 or 7 yards, and that at every main shore, at the same time, and that also so vast a breadth, as all the Sea is, round about the Earth, so largely circumventing it, as is well known, if it should not thus do.

Reas. For if the Earth should not rise directly upwards▪ by the force and vertue of his essentiall word, that upholdeth all things.

Q. Where could the Sea find place of subsistence for so much of it, as must necessarily subsist in one place or other, else it could not slow so soone after to such height againe, without a new cre∣tion of more waters so to fill it with.

Assum. But God doth not create, and dissolve againe, the wa∣ters of the Sea from the first beginning, twice every day, as it ebs and flowes, as Gen. 2.2.3.

Conseq. Therefore it followes, that the earth riseth directly upwards when the Sea ebs, as hath been said.

2. Reason, And again, seeing it is manifest as hath been pro∣ved, that the womb of the earth, is that decreed place, broken up for it to descend into, when it first was gathered into one place, to let the dry land appear; and not by dissolving, or dry∣ing up, or consumption of the water, as Gen. 2.2, 3.

It is most likely that the same way is held on still; for the ordinary ebbing, and withdrawing of the Sea; as hath been said before.

3. And if it should not be so, that the Earth ascends, to in∣large both the womb, and the channels of the Sea, to let it in; and also closeth again, to presse it forth.

Then it would necessarily follow, that when the Sea flowes it should leave the womb of the earth empty, either of aire, or water; which cannot be, for no place can be empried, of any ••ind of substance, but it is presertly filled with aire again: But if, it should be filled either with aire, or fire; it would keep out the liquid water, for descending any more. And there would al∣wayes be contention betwixt the aire and water, so that it could not ascend, nor descend neither, so quietly as it doth.

Object. If it be objected that there may be a vent-hole, on some side the earth, for the air to passe in and out through it.

Answ. I answer, That there is no such place that was ever found: and it must needs be a large one, if there should be any such; that must let in and out, twice over in 24. hours, so much measure of aire, as to ebb and flow the main Sea, 6, or 7. yards of direct plumb over all the Sea.

Therefore these conceits would prove ridiculous, and they are altogether without ground, or reason, from any Scripture testi∣mony.

But it will be objected, That Aristotle and others were of opinion, that the Moon was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cause of its ebbing and flowing; who darting her beams into the Sea, caused it to swell; and when the Moon was absent, and under the Earth, it abated a∣gain.

To which I answer, That the Moon hath no beams of any such heat, as to swell the Sea: neither is the Sea hotter, or coul∣der, for the absence, or presence of the Moon over it. And be∣sides, it is manifest, that it both ebbs and flowes, whilst the Moon is above the earth; which shewes plainly, that though the

Moon be appointed for certain seasons, and be set for signes and for seasons, of such things, it increasing and waning, as the Sea doth; and is very needfull to be observed in many things which God hath appointed it, to direct us in; both for know∣ing the time of the ebbing and flowing of the main Sea; and for the felling of timber; and many such things, of which it is a signe; yet for all that, it were rediculous to affirm, or account it, (any cause at all) either of the Sea its ebbing, or its flowing a∣gain; or of any such things; of which it may be observed as signes thereof: Neither was it appointed as any cause at all.

For God said. Let there be lights in the firmament of the Heaven, to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signes, and for seasons, and for dayes, and years; and let them bee for lights in the firmament of the heaven, to give light upon the earth; and it was so, Gen. 1.1••, 15.

But he never set them, for causes of its ebbing, or flowing either.

Neither is there any cause, that is able to do it, but the essen∣t••••ll word, of the power of God, by which it was created, and by which it is upheld, as it is said of him, Hebr. 1.2, 3 That he by whom also God made the worlds; who is the brightnesse of his glo∣rie, and the expresse Image of his person; upholding all things by the word of his power, as Hebr. 1. throughout.

For only he who is Omnipotent, yea whose pure essence, is both in, and through, and in every part, both of the earth and waters; is able to uphold, and to keep in motion, in so constant a manner, from the first creation, both the earth and Sea; as he doth also all the 7. Planets, and the starry Firmament, with such unspeakable swiftnesse, as we dayly see; and as I purpose (God willing) to make appeare when time shall serve, to as many as please to read, and consider what I purpose to write to all rationall crea∣tures that would know his power, as I purpose in the next.

But how easie it is, for the great Lord, both of heaven and earth, who is an infinite Spirit, filling both all place, and every sub∣stance; from the top, or height, of the highest heavens, to the very bowels, or centre of the earth: yea, and infinitely beyond these, circumventing heavens on every side; and who carrieth about, both the Starry Firmament, and all the Planets, in such a steadfast, constant, unwearied manner, such a vaste and incredible

circumference, in so short a time, as the Mathematicks know, and that from the first Creation, yea, causing the morning to know his place. It may easily be beleeved, that he can easily cause the constant motion, both of the earth and waters, as hath been said, being in, and through them, yea, in every dust of the earth, and every drop of water, as we must needs acknowledge, if we beleeve the Scriptures, Psal. 139. and 2 Chron. 6.18. Job 26.5, 6.

Wh••ther shall I go, saith David, from thy spirit, or whither shall I fly from thy presence, &c. Implying, that there is no place, nor any substance, in which he is not present by his All-seeing Spirit: And as the Motion of the Heavens, and of all the Planets doe manifestly shew, that he is in, and through, and in every part of [them.] Even so the Motion of the Sea, and of the massie Earth, as hath been said, do as manifestly declare, that his All-seeing Spirit, is also in, and through, and in every part, both of the earth and waters, as I could, largely shew. But such as beleeve the Scriptures, will not deny it to be true; though I much doubt, that for want of consideration, it is not setled in their hearts, as it ought to be.

To make them reverence, and feare that great and fearfull Name, even the Lord our God, as they ought to do; the Lord our God being a consuming fire, being able in a moment even to consume all things, that he hath created, as he threatned to con∣sume the Israelites, (as in a moment.) And would have done it, had not Moses stood in the breach.

But I must not inlarge my self any further in this particular, but to two Printed sheets; therefore I only say to such who know these things, and that confidently bleeve them; settle these things in your hearts, and your hearts shall be setled against Atheisme; for you shall thereby be convinced, not only that there is a God, but that his eternall power and God-head, is in, and through, and in every part, not onely of the Earth and Sea, but of all his works, that the Lord God hath created and made; I mean, he is in them, in respect of his Essence, which is unlimitable; Though in respect of the operation or manifestation of himself; It is truly said of some men, that they are (even) sensual, having not the Spirit, Jude 19.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Isa. 44.19, 20. Ezek. 18.14. & 28. Mat. 5.3. Isa. 3.1.
• * 1.2

  Jeb 26.7.