In an age when electricity has been so much our entertainment, and our
amazement; when we are become so well acquainted with its stupendous
powers and properties, its velocity, and instantaneous operation through
any given distance; when we see, upon a touch, or an approach, between
a non-electric and an electrified body, what a wonderful vibration is
produc'd! what a snap it gives! how an innocuous flame breaks forth!
how violent a shock! Is it to be wonder'd at, that hither we turn our
thoughts, for the solution of the prodigious appearance of an earthquake?
Here is at once an assemblage of all those properties and circumstances
which we so often see in courses of electricity. Electricity may be call'd
a sort of soul to matter, thought to be an ethereal fire pervading all
things; and acting instantaneously, where, and as far as it is excited.
'Tis every body's observation, that there never was a winter, like the
last past, in any one's memory, so extremely remarkable for warmth and
driness, abounding with thunder and lightning, very uncommon in winter;
coruscations in the air frequent, justly thought electrical by all
philosophers; particularly, twice we had the extraordinary appearance of
that called _aurora australis_, with colours altogether unusual; and this
just before the first earthquake: All the while the wind constantly south
and south-west, and that without rain, which is unusual with these winds.
This state of the atmosphere had continued five months before the first
earthquake. Is it not hence reasonable to conclude, that the earth,
especially in our region, must be brought into an unusual state of
electricity; into that vibratory condition wherein electricity consists;
and, consequently, nothing was wanting but the approach of a non-electric
body, to produce that snap, and that shock, which we call an earthquake; a
vibration of the superficies of the earth.
That the earth was in that vibratory and electric state we have further
reason to conclude, from the very extraordinary forwardness of all the
vegetable world with us. Every one knows, that, at the end of _February_,
all sorts of garden-stuff, trees, fruits, and flowers, were as forward
as in other years, by the middle of _April_. Conformable to which,
experiments abundantly show, that electrifying of plants quickens their
growth, equally as in animals it quickens the pulse. Nor will the unusual
driness and warmth of the weather solely account for such a precipitate
vegetation: because a necessary supply of rain was wanting, as in the
natural Spring-season.
A very long dry frost will produce the same electrical state of the earth,
as it equally favours electrical experiments. Thus, _March_ 27, 1076,
a frost from the 1st of _November_ to the middle of _April_, a general
earthquake in _England_ succeeded. _Matt. Paris._ That of _Oxford_, 17th
of _September_ 1683, was after a frost. _Jan._ 4, 1680, An earthquake in
_Somersetshire_: The air was very calm; a frosty night.
Mr. _Flamsted_ concurs with us, in our first position, That earthquakes
always happen in _calm_ seasons. He adds, "That _Keckerman_, a learned
author, who wrote on the subject, affirms, and backs it from the authority
of _Aristotle_ and _Pliny_."
The 8th of _September_ 1601 was a very calm day but cloudy: And the
_Smyrna_ merchants observe the earthquakes there happen in calm, still
weather. The remarkable clearness and calmness of the morning was observed
in that of _Oxford_ 17th of _September_ 1683, and the air continued
so for five or six days after: Therefore we may infer, that it is not
impossible, what has been abundantly related, that some foreigners
from _Italy_ here in _England_, some from the _West-Indies_ (in both
which countries earthquakes are more frequent than with us) did seem to
apprehend our first earthquakes from the apparent temper of the weather;
and observations of this kind are as old as _Aristotle_. It is observed
in _Jamaica_, when the air is extraordinary calm, an earthquake is always
apprehended.
We had lately read at the Royal Society, a very curious discourse, from
Mr. _Franklin_ of _Philadelphia_, concerning thundergusts, lightning,
the northern lights, and meteors. All which he rightly solves from the
doctrine of electricity. For, if a cloud raised from the sea, which is
a non-electric, happens to touch a cloud raised from exhalations of the
land, when electrified, it must immediately cause thunder and lightning.
The electrical fire flowing from the touch of perhaps a thousand miles
compass of clouds, makes that appearance, which we call lightning. The
snap which we hear in our electrical experiments, when re-echoed from
cloud to cloud, the extent of the firmament, makes that affrightning sound
of thunder.
From the same principle I infer, that, if a non-electric cloud discharges
its contents upon any part of the earth, when in a high electrified state,
an earthquake must necessarily ensue. The ship made upon the contact of
many miles compass of solid earth is that horrible uncouth noise, which
we hear upon an earthquake; and the shock is the earthquake itself.
In the relation received from _Portsmouth_, and the _Isle of Wight_,
concerning the last shock there, on the 18th of _March_, the writer
observes, the Day was warm and serene; but, upon a gentle shower falling
in the evening, the earthquake came. Here we have reason to apprehend the
electrified state of the earth, and the touch of the non-electric: which
caused the earthquake.
The learned Dr. _Childrey_ observes, treating on this subject, that
earthquakes happen upon rain; a sudden shower of rain in the time of a
great drought.
'Tis objected, that, if this was the case, nothing would be more frequent
than earthquakes; but these two circumstances concurring, a shower and
dry weather, must not necessarily cause it, any more than touching a
tube before it is electrified causes a snap. The earth must be in a
proper electrified state to produce it; and electricity has its fits; is
remitted, intended, ceased and recommenced. It has its bounds. All causes
must concur. And now, with us, all necessary causes did so apparently.
Tho' a shower of rain falling upon the earth when electrified, may cause
an earthquake, yet too much rain before, will prevent that state of
electricity, necessary.
The day before the catastrophe of _Port-Royal_, the weather was remarkably
serene and clear. In that most dreadful earthquake, 1692, of _Sicily_,
where 54 cities and towns, beside a great number of villages were
destroy'd; but especially the whole city of _Catania_: It was preceded by
a most agreeable, serene and warm season, which was the more observable on
account of its being unusual at that time of the year.
I have been inform'd, that in the morning of both earthquakes last past
with us, the air was serene and calm; on the morning before that 8th
of _February_, the air was observ'd to be remarkably calm; and that a
little before, a black cloud appear'd over great part of the horizon. Dr.
_Hales_, in his relation, says, the Centinels in _St. James's Park_, and
others who were abroad in the morning of the last earthquake, observ'd a
large black cloud, and some coruscations, just before the shock, and that
it was very calm weather: And that, in the history of earthquakes, they
generally begin in calm weather, with a black cloud.
This observation precludes the suspicion of earthquakes arising from
tumults and commotions in the upper, or under region of the air. The
remarkable clearness of the air before earthquakes, observ'd by all, shows
evidently how free it is from vapours and the like.
Agreeable to our _fifth_ position, Mr. _Flamsted_ writes, "A hollow noise
in the air always precedes an earthquake, so near that it rather seems to
accompany them. He refers us to _Philosophical Transactions_, N^o 151. p.
311. The noise was heard by many that liv'd in the out-streets, and alleys
of _London_, remote from the noise and tumult of the greater streets."
This he speaks of that felt in _London_ 1692; but now the whole city heard
the noise, on both these earthquakes of ours.
The gardener, who gave a relation to the Royal Society of what he observed
in the _Temple_-garden, took notice, that first he heard the most dreadful
noise imaginable, which he thought to be a great discharge of ship-guns,
on the river: and that the noise rolled from the water-side towards
_Temple-bar_, rather before the nodding of the houses.
The gentleman who observed it about _Hartingfordbury_, says, the noise
preceded the shock. And this is a common observation, which at once both
strengthens our opinion of electricity, and confutes that of subterraneous
vapours; for, in the latter case, the concussion must precede the noise.
Agreeable to out _second_ position, Mr. _Flamsted_ writes, "That
earthquakes are felt at sea, equally as on land. Our merchants say,
that, tho' the water in the bay of _Smyrna_ lies level and smooth as
a pond; yet ships riding there feel the shocks very sensibly, but in a
very different manner from the houses at land: For they heave not, but
tremble; their masts shiver, as if they would fall to pieces and their
guns start in their carriages, though the surface of the sea lies all the
time calm and unmoved." In Dr. _Hook_'s _Philosophical Collections_, N^o
6. p. 185. we are told, "That a ship felt a shock in the main ocean; that
the passengers, who had been asleep in their cabins, came upon deck in a
fright, fearing the ship had struck upon some rock; but, on heaving the
lead, found themselves out of soundings."
All this is extremely agreeable to our assumption. The water receives the
electrical touch, and vibratory intestine motion of its parts, as well as
land. And the impression may be made solely on the writer a non-electric,
by the touch of an electric fire-ball, or the like; and that seems to have
been often the care. The proper vibratory motion is impress'd on the water
without ruffling its surface; and so communicated to all the parts of the
ship, gives the sense of a shock to the bottom, the shivering to the mast,
and the rest of the symptoms: which sufficiently proclaim the cause of it
to be an electrical impression upon the water. The president mentioned
a relation of a waterman, that felt it in his boat upon the river; he
thought it like a great thump at the bottom of the boat. And so the ships
at sea fancy, they strike upon a rock.
This makes us apprehend, the reason of the fishes leaping up out of
the canal in _Southwark_, of which we had an account. So in that of
_Oxford_, 1683, one fishing in the _Charwell_ felt his boat tremble under
him, and the lesser fishes seem'd affrighted by an unusual skipping.
That electricity is the cause sought for, seems deducible from this
consideration. Several writers on earthquakes assimilate these vibrations
of the earth to those of a musical string. Experiments have shown, that
fishes in water may be killed by the particular tone of a musical string;
and 'tis known, that electricity will kill animals. They assuredly felt
the vibratory motion in the water, which they were absolutely strangers
to before. No doubt it made them sick; as those of weak nerves on land.
And this circumstance alone precludes any suspicion of subterraneous fires
under the ocean. Or, if we were to admit of it, would the boiling of the
water exhibit any appearance, like what we are speaking of, either to the
water, or to the ship?
Mr. _Flamsted_ likewise concurs in our _eighth_ position, "That many
people found themselves suddenly sick at stomach, and their heads dizzy
and light; so that those that had formerly fits of apoplexies, dreaded
their return; particularly, one gentleman, a surgeon, feeling himself so
affected, and fearing a return of his apoplexy, resolved to be let blood,
without suspecting the earthquake."
After these two shocks which we felt, many people had pains in their
joints and back, as after electrifying; many had sickness, headakes,
hysteric and nervous disorders, and colicks, for the whole day after, and
some much longer, especially people of weak nerves, weak constitutions;
some women miscarry'd upon it; to some it has prov'd fatal.
To this we must attribute, that relation we had, of the dog lying asleep
before the fire; but upon the earthquake, he suddenly rose up, run about
the room, whining, and endeavouring to get out.
Any solid matter is capable of being put into a state or electricity,
such as iron guns; and the more so, by reason of their solidity. And in
proportion to it, is the greatness of the snap, and of the shock; and
a kind of lambent flame issues from the point of contact; and likewise
somewhat of a sulphureous smell: So that if both flame and smell were
discernible in an earthquake; 'tis to be found, without going to the
bowels of the earth.
Dr. _Hales_ mentions, that solid bodies are the best conductors of aereal
lightning; whence oaks are rent, and iron melted. And in our earthquakes
in _London_, the loudest noise was heard near such large stone buildings,
as churches, with lofty steeples. From the top of these we must apprehend,
that the electrical explosion goes off into the open air; as in our
experiments, from the point of swords, and the like.
The electrical shock is proportionate to the solid electrified, agreeable
to our _seventh_ position. This fully accounts for earthquakes in general,
and for many in particular. What can be imagin'd greater than a shock of
the body of the earth? 'Tis greater, or less in proportion to the state of
electrification. And now we can account for several appearances. In the
first earthquake, the Lord Chancellor, Masters in Chancery, and several
Judges, were sitting in _Westminster-Hall_, with their backs to the wall
of the upper-end, which is of a vast thickness. They all relate the
severity of the shock, from the wall seeming to push towards them with
great violence.
And thus in the earthquake of 1692, _Deal_ castle is one of them built
by _Henry_ VIII. the walls are of immense thickness, and strength; yet
they shook so sensibly, that the people living in it, expected it was
falling on their heads. And this is the case in all earthquakes: the more
substantial the building, the more violent is the shock: exactly the mode
of electrical vibration. And this Dr. _Hales_ takes notice of and others;
that an earthquake shatters rocks of marble, more easily than the _strata_
of sand, earth, or gravel. In the earthquake here of 1692, a great cliff
fell down near _Dover_; and part of _Saltwood_-castle wall.
'Tis from hence we account for that observation, that when we electrify
any person; upon a touch, the pain and blow of the shock is felt at the
joints, the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, for instance, more than in the
intermediate parts; because _there_ is the greatest quantity of solid.
At the same time, that the force of electricity in solids, is as the
quantity of matter: we see most evidently, by innumerable experiments,
that water is equally assistant in strengthening, and conveying the force
of electricity; and _that_ in proportion too to its quantity. And hence
is to be deduc'd the reason of my observation; that the most frequent and
dreadful earthquakes have fallen upon maritime places. And I find the same
is taken notice of in some degree, by _Acosta_, by _Dolittle_, who wrote
on that in 1692, and others.
In the dreadful catastrophe at _Port-Royal_ then, 'tis notorious, that its
violence was chiefly near the sea. So _Lima_ could not suffer without its
port of _Callao_. Even in those so lately felt by us, they were sensibly
more violent towards the river, than farther from it.
In that earthquake which was felt in _England_, in the year 1692, (which
was very much like these with us) there were no houses thrown down, nor
persons kill'd: but it reach'd more particularly _Sheerness_, _Sandwich_,
_Deal_, _Dover_, _Portsmouth_, and the maritime parts of _Holland_,
_Flanders_, and _Normandy_.
In this that happened on _Sunday_ the 18th of _March_ last, at _Bath_;
it was felt particularly and strongly at _Portsmouth_, seven miles
above and below it, on the sea-side; all round the isle of _Wight_,
at _Southampton_, the sea-coast of _Selsey_, south of _Chichester_,
_Arundel_, and the whole coast of _Sussex_, without going up the land; and
across the sea to the islands of _Jersey_ and _Guernsey_.
On _Monday_ night, the 2d of this instant _April_, 1750, at ten o'clock,
at _Leverpool_, a shock of an earthquake. And felt in several other places
in the neighbourhood; but particularly at _Chester_, and _Warington_.
If we look into ancient history, we find 197 years before Christ, an
earthquake shook terribly the isle of _Rhodes_, damag'd many cities: and
some quite swallow'd up.
Seventeen years before Christ, many cities in the isle of _Cyprus_
destroy'd.
Six years before Christ, the isle of _Coos_ vehemently afflicted.
During the _Peloponnesian_ war among the _Greeks_, the isle of _Delos_
shaken, and the most beautiful temple of _Apollo_ thrown down.
Soon after, the city of _Lacedæmon_ totally destroy'd.
_A. D._ 79. Three cities in _Cyprus_ overthrown.
_A. D._ 82. The city of _Smyrna_ ruined.
In the time of _Valens_ the emperor, a terrible earthquake in _Crete_,
whereby 100 cities were destroy'd.
_Feb._ 13, 1247, An earthquake, chiefly felt in the _Thames_. _Matt.
Paris._
_May_, 1382, A general earthquake, which did much mischief; the _Friday_
following one less; the _Saturday_ following, one felt mostly by water.
_Henry de Knyhton._ _Holinshed._
_A. D._ 1456, In the city of _Naples_, 40,000 people lost.
_Constantinople_ has often suffer'd; particularly in 1509, 13,000 people
overwhelm'd.
1531, At _Lisbon_, 1400 houses thrown down; as many shatter'd.
_April_, 1690, The _Leeward-Islands_, _Montserat_, _Nevis_, and _Antigua_:
At _Martinico_, and the _French_ islands, at St. _Lucia_, &c. a violent
earthquake.
_Dec._ 8, 1703, An earthquake at _Hull_, a perfect calm.
1702, At _Stroution_, in _Argyleshire_, which extended all along the west
coast of _Great-Britain_; but to no breadth on land.
_Oct._ 25, 1734, At _Havant_, in _Sussex_, considerable, the air perfectly
calm.
But instances enough, to show what I aim'd at, that maritime places are
most subject; which is a strong argument in favour of electricity; when
both the solid of the earth, and the quantity of the water concur, to make
the shock; exactly as in electrical experiments; when the bottle of water
is held in the hand.
Thus when our mind is discharged of the prejudices of former notions, we
discern, that every appearance favours the principle we go upon. That,
agreeable to Mr. _Flamsted_, subterraneous explosions, could they pervade,
and traverse the earth at pleasure, must at last burst, and disperse
every thing in their way. Yet 'tis not possible for us to imagine, such
a kind of vibration should follow, either by sea or land, as that we are
treating of. But electricity compleatly answers it. This accounts for
that superficial movement of the earth, that universal instantaneous
shock, which made every house in _London_ to tremble, none to fall: That
quivering, tremulous, horizontal vibration, highly different from any
motion we must conceive, to be produc'd from subterraneous evaporations.
Hence authors tell us, _Dec._ 30, 1739, describing an earthquake in the
west-riding of _Yorkshire_: It seem'd as if the earth mov'd backward and
forward horizontally; a quivering, with reciprocal vibrations.
Mr. _Flamsted_ rightly accounts the motion of earthquakes to be
undulatory; and by being continued, causes a like motion to a great
distance. As when you strike a long stretch'd string of wire at one end,
the motion is immediately continued to the other. So far he entered into
the nature of electricity.
Tho' he be in the right, thinking the cause comes from the air, yet what
follows, contradicts his own hypothesis. For if a calm be necessary before
an earthquake; then 'tis not produc'd by any turbulence in the air. Nor
can we imagine that any aerial commotion, tho' it may shake windows,
chimneys, and the like, shall reach 500 miles distance, split the solid
earth, destroy whole cities, and cause those dire desolations we hear of.
Mr. _Flamsted_ mentions a circumstance, that the earthquake here in 1692,
was not felt in the north of _England_, nor in all _Scotland_: for rain
fell that day in both. We may very readily conceive, the earth there was
not in an electrified state; and the rain would sufficiently prevent it.
We hence understand, how the southern regions should be more subject to
them, than our northern; where the warmth, and driness of the air, so
necessary to electricity, is more frequent than with us.
From electric vibration only can we account for our _tenth_ position, of
springs, and fountains being no ways damag'd by earthquakes: The motion
goes no deeper into the earth, than the force and quantity of the shock
reaches; which generally is not far; yet it proceeds lower down when the
ready passage of a well offers, and _there_ affects the water contained in
it; puts it into an intestine vibration, as to foul it, and raise mud from
the bottom.
It may seem difficult to conceive, how a large portion of the earth's
surface should be thus capable of electrification. This difficulty
is lessened by reflecting on the nature of electricity, and of the
electrical, ethereal fluid pervading all things: how it is excited by the
little motion of a small revolving glass globe. By this we electrify the
most solid bodies, to the greatest distance, and with a velocity equal to
that of lightning.
Dr. _Hales_ observes, that the usual explosion of the cannon on great
days, in St. _James_'s-_Park_, is observ'd to electrify the glass, in the
windows of the Treasury.
We must conceive, that when the electric shock is communicated to one part
of the earth, it extends itself proportionably to the force of the shock,
and to the quantity of electrified surface; and to the quality of the
matter more or less susceptible of it, more or less apt to propagate it.
Set 1000 men in a row; let every one communicate with those next him by
an iron-wire held in their hands: on an electrical shock they all feel
it alike, at the same instant; and this gives us a very good idea of the
earthquake.
When the earth is broken up in any large degree, 'tis by the sea-side;
where sometimes on a bold shore, whole streets tumble into the sea, or
into the gaping earth, now falling toward the sea. Sometimes on a flat and
sandy shore, whole streets are rolled along the level into the sea.
I am not sensible of any real objection against our _hypothesis_, but
this, being the _eleventh_ of my positions, or circumstances. It seems
true, that earthquakes are more frequent in _Italy_, near _Vesuvius_,
and by _Ætna_, in _Sicily_. And the cause seems apparently owing to
these vulcano's. At first sight, every one would think so, but not from
the true reason. This has given the great prejudice to the judgments
of the curious, even at this day. But consider the matter impartially,
and it will appear, so far from being a strong argument in favour of
subterraneous eruptions, that it ought to be esteem'd a convincing proof
to the contrary, and most cogent in favour of my principle. In strictest
logic, there is no inference to be made from particulars to generals.
Quite the contrary. We have but these two or three vulcano's on one
quarter of the globe, and two of them toward the warmer climate of it;
whereas earthquakes are innumerable, especially in those of a warmer
clime. That there are no vulcano's, no discharges of fire and smoke for a
continuance, and abundance, after earthquakes; no suspicion of it either
from sight or smell, as we know by innumerable examples, as well as in
our own country, and experience: is demonstration, that this is not the
cause. If the vulcano's were the real cause of earthquakes, we ought
assuredly to expect, that in the countries thereabouts, the earthquakes
ought to be far more extensive than those in other countries, where are
no vulcano's; but this is altogether contrary to experience. For, as the
celebrated naturalist _Buffon_ observes, such are not extensive, as are
near _Ætna_ and _Vesuvius_. He further adds: _Histoire naturelle_, tom.
I. p. 508. speaking, among many others, of a _vulcano_ in the island of
_Ternate_, he remarks, "That this burning gulph is less agitated when
the air is calm, and the season mild, than in storms and hurricanes;"
and says, "This confirms what I have said in my foregoing discourse, and
seems evidently to prove, that the fire which makes _vulcano's_ comes not
from the bottom of mountains, but from the tops, or at least from a very
little depth; and that the hearth (or floor) of the fire is not far from
the summit of the _vulcano's_; for, if this was not the case, great winds
could not contribute to their conflagration." And this, in general, is a
corroborative proof of my whole hypothesis. For there can be no great fire
in the earth, where there is no great conveyance of air.
We have one vulcano in the cold region of _Iceland_, and there is
sometimes an earthquake there; but, in the countries of that northern
latitude, and those of lesser, 'tis obvious in all history, that
earthquakes are less frequent than in the more southern. Therefore 'tis
easy, and very natural to conclude, from all considerations weighed
together, that these vulcano's help to put the earth about them, into that
vibratory state and condition of electricity, which is the requisite in my
_hypothesis_, and by that means only, promote a frequency of earthquakes
there.
I have only one circumstance to add, which may seem not inconsiderable;
probably perceived by many, tho' not taken notice of. For a whole week
before the first earthquake, the partition wainscot of my house (between
the forward and backward rooms) made an odd kind of tremulous, crackling
noise continually, as if the wainscot would split; or as if some damage
was apprehended to the house. This was observ'd by the family, with a good
deal of concern. _That_ in the chamber crackled more than that below.
We never perceiv'd it before, nor since; and apparently, it shows the
vibratory state of the surface of the earth, at that time.
But whether our conjectures upon this important subject be well founded
or no, it certainly becomes a christian philosopher, whilst he is
investigating material causes, to look up, and regard the moral use of
them. For in reality, every thing, the whole world, was ultimately for
that purpose made. When we see such a kind of spirituality impress'd on
mere matter, as this amazing property of electricity, it should kindle in
us a high ambition of asserting, and exerting the infinitely superior
value, and powers, and excellency of the spiritual part of us, destin'd
to an immortal duration. And of all the great and public calamities,
which affect us mortals, earthquakes claim the first title to the name
of warnings and judgments. None so proper to threaten, or to execute
vengeance upon a guilty people. Nor has any other, those annexed terrors,
so much of the unusual, the unavoidable, the sudden and the horrible
apprehension of being crush'd to death, or buried alive. And when in our
own sight, these rare and extraordinary _phænomena_ appear, it cannot but
be a lesson to us, to do our duty toward that great Being, who, by a drop
of water, can produce effects so prodigious.
That earthquakes proclaim themselves to mankind in this light, is further
deducible from this observation, the _ninth_ in our recapitulation of
circumstances; that they are peculiarly directed to great cities, and
maritime towns, those nurseries of wealth, luxury, and of all the evils
naturally flowing therefrom. It would be childish to rehearse from old
history, or modern, a proof of it. We have no other notices of them. Look
upon these two shocks we have here felt. We own that _Hampsted-heath_, and
_Finchley-forest_, and _Kennington-common_ were affected with it; yet it
is notorious, that _London_ was the center, the place to which the finger
of God was pointed.
And this leads us in the _third_ place, to consider the moral use and
purpose of these _magnalia naturæ_, and prodigies of the agency of
material causes. For nothing sure, but an electrical shock, and that from
a divine hand, could have been so well adjusted, as twice, nay four times,
so sensibly to shake every house in _London_, and not throw one down. This
duty we will endeavour to execute, from the words of that great man, king
_David_.
[Illustration]
PSALM xviii. 7.
_Then the earth shook, and trembled; the foundations also of the
hills moved, and were shaken; because he was wroth._
This Psalm is a triumphal song, which _David_ deliver'd publickly before
God, in thankful remembrance of the great mercies he had receiv'd;
being firmly established on his throne: and all his enemies, foreign or
domestick, subdued.
He does not attribute this happy situation of his affairs to his own
prudence and courage; but, like a consummate politician, absolutely to
the mediation of the divine providence. He draws up a most grand and
magnificent description of the advent of the deity, such as words never
before expressed. All the heathen pictures of the appearance of their
gods, are cold and lame, compar'd to this; which is deservedly so much
admir'd by all criticks that have any taste for religion, as well as
language.
This verse, in our text, is the first movement in the scene, which was to
represent the appearance of _Jehovah_, without whose interposition _David_
hoped for nothing fortunate. After describing all the pomp of light,
and darkness, celestial; hailstones, thunder, lightning, and the like
instances of majesty and terror, in the skies; he still keeps his eye on
the ground, and concludes with the earthquake, where he began.
_Then the channels of waters were seen; and the foundations of the earth
were discovered; at thy rebuke, O Lord; at the blast of the breath of thy
nostrils._
Our holy psalmist, at other times, has exhibited the same images, in
different coloring; as a great master varies his works, to strike out all
the beauties.
Psal. lxviii. 7. _O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people; when
thou didst march thro' the wilderness; the earth shook, the heavens also
dropped, at the presence of God. Even Sinai itself was moved, at the
presence of God; the God of Israel._
By this he means, the giving the law. _Exod._ xix. 8. _And mount Sinai
was altogether on a smoke; because the Lord descended on it in fire: and
the smoke ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked
greatly._
Again, Psal. cxiv. when he is describing the passage over the _Red-sea_,
and that over _Jordan_; he brings in the machinery of earthquakes, to
testify the divine presence.
_When Israel went out of Egypt, and the house of Jacob from among a
strange people; the sea saw it and fled. Jordan was driven back._
_The mountains skipped like rams: and the little hills like young sheep._
Then he asks the question, _What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou
fleddest? and thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?_
_Ye mountains that ye skipped like rams, and ye little hills like young
sheep?_
He answers: _Tremble thou earth at the presence of the Lord: at the
presence of the God of Jacob._
He fails not to attribute these marvellous appearances, to their true
cause. Tho' he knew full well, that the God of nature administred the
ordinary course of the earth by second causes; yet he could not be so
blind but to perceive, when the waves of the ocean retreated; when the
waters of _Jordan_ divided; when mount _Sinai_ was all in fire, smoke,
lightning and thunder, with the trumpet of God sounding, and the whole
mountain shaking: he could not but perceive the presence of the author of
nature, in these extraordinary appearances.
But every where in sacred scripture earthquakes are particularly singled
out, above all other natural _phænomena_, as having more of the majesty
and terrific pomp, to denote an immediate operation of God's hand; to
excite our fear, and shew his anger, as in our text, _because he was
wroth_. In imitation of the sacred writers, the heathen poets, both
_greek_ and _latin_, express the anger of their _Jupiter_ by an earthquake:
_Terrificam capitis concussit terque quaterque
Cæsariem; cum qua terram, mare, sidera, movit._
Ovid.
The moving meteors in the free air, lightning, coruscations,
fire-balls, tempests, thunders, or the dreaded comets, tho' frightful
enough; yet people that do not think to any purpose, hope, as they are at
a distance, to escape their effects. But when the terror comes home to
us, to our feet; when the earth moves on which we stand; what heart is
not moved? When our houses _shake_ over our ears, the greatest courage is
_shaken_.
It is true, an earthquake causes an universal dread among all sorts of
people; even the philosopher immersed in speculation of second causes,
quakes; as well as the pious, whose fear proceeds from solid piety: a due
sense of the _anger_ of the almighty Being.
We saw how the late earthquakes affrighted every one; but, as to the
generality, it was but for a moment. When they found themselves safe, and
alive; thoughtless they ran to their business, or their diversion: and
this not only the first, but the second time. And I am apprehensive, were
another, and another to come, they would only be less regarded than the
preceding. As the _Israelites_, to whom miracles became familiar; as the
_Jews_, in our Saviour's time, demanding of him to show them a sign from
heaven, in the midst of the constant scene of miracles innumerable.
But 'tis my present business to call you to a due and serious reflexion,
on these extraordinary events; by considering,
I. What the written word of God, the holy scriptures, informs us,
concerning the ultimate purpose of earthquakes.