_How the Sea will be diminish’d and consum’d. How the Rocks and
Mountains will be thrown down and melted, and the whole exterior
Frame of the Earth dissolv’d into a Deluge of Fire._
We have now taken a View of the Causes of the Conflagration, both
ordinary and extraordinary: It remains to consider the Manner of it; how
these Causes will operate, and bring to pass an Effect so great and so
prodigious. We took Notice before, that the grand Obstruction would be
from the Sea, and from the Mountains; we must therefore take these to
Task in the first Place: and if we can remove them out of our Way, or
overcome what Resistance and Opposition they are capable to make, the
rest of the Work will not be uneasy to us.
The Ocean indeed is a vast Body of Waters; and we must use all our Art
and Skill to dry it up, or consume it in a good measure, before we can
pass our Design. I remember the Advice a Philosopher gave _Amasis_ King
of _Ægypt_, when he had a Command sent him from the King of _Æthiopia_,
_that he should drink up the Sea_. _Amasis_ being very anxious and
solicitous what Answer he should make to this strange Command, the
Philosopher _Bias_ advis’d him to make this round Answer to the King,
_That he was ready to perform his Command, and to drink up the Sea,
provided he would stop the Rivers from flowing into his Cup while he was
drinking_. This Answer baffled the King, for he could not stop the
Rivers; but this we must do, or we shall never be able to drink up the
Sea, or burn up the Earth.
Neither will this be so impossible as it seems at first Sight, if we
reflect upon those Preparations we have made towards it, by a general
Drought all over the Earth. This, we suppose, will precede the
Conflagration, and by drying up the Fountains and Rivers which daily
feed the Sea, will by degrees starve that Monster, or reduce it to such
a degree of Weakness, that it shall not be able to make any great
Resistance. More than half an Ocean of Water flows into the Sea every
Day, from the Rivers of the Earth, if you take them altogether. This I
speak upon a moderate Computation. _Aristotle_ says, the Rivers carry
more Water into the Sea in the Space of a Year, than would equal in Bulk
the whole Globe of the Earth. Nay some have ventur’d to affirm this of
one single River, the _Volga_, that runs into the _Caspian_ Sea. ’Tis a
great River indeed, and hath seventy Mouths; and so it had need have, to
disgorge a Mass of Water equal to the Body of the Earth, in a Year’s
Time. But we need not take such high Measures; there are at least an
hundred great Rivers that flow into the Sea from several Parts of the
Earth, Islands and Continents, besides several thousands of lesser ones;
let us suppose these, all together, to pour as much Water into the
Sea-Channel every Day, as is equal to half the Ocean: And we shall be
easily convinc’d of the Reasonableness of this Supposition, if we do but
examine the daily Expence of one River, and by that make an Estimate of
the rest. This we find calculated to our Hands in the River _Po_, in
_Italy_; a River of much what the same Bigness with our _Thames_, and
disburthens it self into the Gulpp of _Venice_. _Baptista Riccioli_ hath
computed how much Water this River discharges in an Hour, _viz._
18000000 cubical Paces of Water, and consequently 432000000 in a Day;
which is scarce credible to those that do not distinctly compute it.
Suppose then an hundred Rivers as great as this, or greater, to fall
into the Sea from the Land; besides thousands of lesser, that pay their
Tribute at the same Time into the great Receipt of the Ocean: These all
taken together, are capable to renew the Sea twice every four and twenty
Hours. Which Suppositions being admitted, if by a great and lasting
Drought these Rivers were dried up, or the Fountains from whence they
flow, what would then become of that vast Ocean, that before was so
formidable to us?
’Tis likely, you will say, these great Rivers cannot be dried up, tho’
the little ones may; and therefore we must not suppose such an universal
Stop of Waters, or that they will all fail, by any Drought whatsoever.
But great Rivers being made up of little ones, if these fail, those must
be diminished, if not quit drain’d and exhausted. It may be, all
Fountains and Springs do not proceed from the same Causes, or the same
Original; and some are much more copious than others: For such
Differences, we will allow what is due; but still the Dryness of the Air
and of the Earth continuing, and all the Sources and Supplies of
Moisture, both from above and from below, being lessen’d, or wholly
discontinued, a general Decay of all Fountains and Rivers must
necessarily follow, and consequently of the Sea, and of its Fulness,
that depends upon them; and that’s enough for our present Purpose.
The first Step towards the Consumption of the Ocean, will be the
Diminution or Suspension of the Rivers that run into it; the next will
be an Evacuation by subterraneous Passages; and the last, by Eruptions
of Fires in the very Channel of it, and in the midst of the Waters. As
for subterraneous Evacuations, we cannot doubt but that the Sea hath
Outlets at the Bottom of it, whereby it discharges that vast Quantity of
Water that flows into it every Day; and that could not be discharg’d so
fast as it comes from the wide Mouths of the Rivers, by Percolation, or
Straining through the Sands. Seas also communicate with one another by
these internal Passages; as is manifest from those particular Seas that
have no external Outlet, or Issue, though they receive into them many
great Rivers, and sometimes the Influx of other Seas. So the _Caspian_
Sea receives not only _Volga_, which we mentioned before, but several
other Rivers, and yet hath no visible Issue for its Waters. The
_Mediterranean_ Sea, besides all the Rivers it receives, hath a Current
flowing into it, at either End, from other Seas; from the _Atlantick_
Ocean at the Streights of _Gibraltar_, and from the _Black Sea_ above
_Constantinople_; and yet there is no Passage above Ground, or visible
Derivation of the _Mediterranean_ Waters out of their Channel; which
seeing they do not overfill, nor overflow the Banks, ’tis certain they
must have some secret Conveyances into the Bowels of the Earth, or
subterraneous Communication with other Seas. Lastly, from the Whirlpools
of the Sea, that suck in Bodies that come within their Reach, it seems
plainly to appear, by that Attraction and Absorption, that there is a
Descent of Waters in those Places.
Wherefore when the Current of the Rivers into the Sea is stopp’d, or in
a great Measure diminished; the Sea continuing to empty it self by these
subterraneous Passages, and having little or none of those Supplies that
it used to have from the Land, it must needs be sensibly lessen’d and
both contract its Channel into a narrower Compass, and also have less
Depth in the Waters that remain. And in the last Place, we must expect
fiery Eruptions in several Parts of the Sea Channel, which will help to
suck up, or evaporate the remaining Waters. In the present State of
Nature there have been several Instances of such Eruptions of Fire from
the Bottom of the Sea; and in that last State of Nature, when all Things
are in a Tendency to Inflammation, and when Earthquakes and Eruptions
will be more frequent every where, we must expect them also more
frequently by Sea, as well as by Land. ’Tis true, neither Earthquakes
nor Eruptions can happen in the middle of the great Ocean, or in the
deepest Abyss, because there are no Cavities, or Mines below it, for the
Vapours and Exhalations to lodge in: But it is not so much of the
Sea-Chanel that is so deep; and in other Parts, especially in Streights,
and near Islands, such Eruptions, like Sea-Vulcano’s, have frequently
happened, and new Islands have been made by such fiery Matter thrown up
from the Bottom of the Sea. Thus, they say, those Islands in the
_Mediterranean_, call’d the _Vulcanian Islands_, had their Original,
being Matter cast up from the Bottom of the Sea, by the Force of Fire,
as new Mountains sometimes are raised upon the Earth. Another Island in
the _Archipelago_ had the same Original; whereof _Strabo_ gives an
Account, _Lib. 1._ _The Flames, he says, sprung up through the Waters
four Days together, so as the whole Sea was hot and burning; and they
rais’d by degrees, as with Engines, a Mass of Earth, which made a new
Island, twelve Furlongs in Compass._ And in the same _Archipelago_,
Flames and Smoke have several times, (particularly in the Year 1650)
risen out of the Sea, and fill’d the Air with sulphureous Scents and
Vapours. In like manner in the Island of St. _Michael_, one of the
_Tercera’s_, there have been, of later Years, such Eructations of Fire
and Flames, so strong and violent, that, at the Depth of a hundred and
sixty Fathoms, they forc’d their Way through the midst of the Waters,
from the Bottom of the Sea into the open Air, as has been related by
those that were Eyewitnesses.
In these three Ways, I conceive, the great Force of the Sea will be
broken, and the mighty Ocean reduced to a standing Pool of putrid
Waters, without Vent, and without Recruits. But there will still remain,
in the midst of the Channel, a great Mass of troubled Liquors, like
Dregs in the Bottom of the Vessel; which will not be drunk up, ’till the
Earth be all on Fire, and Torrents of melted and sulphureous Matter flow
from the Land, and mingle with this dead Sea. But let us now leave the
Sea in this humble Posture, and go on to attack the Rocks and Mountains,
which stand next in our Way.
See how scornfully they look down upon us, and bid Defiance to all the
Elements; they have born the Thunder and Lightning of Heaven, and all
the Artillery of the Skies, for innumerable Ages; and do not fear the
crackling of Thorns and of Shrubs that burn at their Feet: Let the Towns
and Cities of the Earth, say they, be laid in Ashes; let the Woods and
Forests blaze away, and the fat Soil of the Earth fry in its own Grease;
these Things will not affect us; we can stand naked in the midst of a
Sea of Fire, with our Roots as deep as the Foundations of the Earth, and
our Heads above the Clouds of the Air. Thus they proudly defy Nature;
and it must be confess’d, that these, being, as it were, the Bones of
the Earth, when the Body is burning, will be the last consum’d; and I am
apt to think, if they could keep in the same Posture they stand in now,
and preserve themselves from falling, the Fire could never get an entire
Power over them. But Mountains are generally hollow, and that makes them
subject to a double Casualty; first, of Earthquakes; secondly, of having
their Roots eaten away by Water or by Fire; but by Fire especially in
this Case; For we suppose there will be innumerable subterraneous Fires
smothering under Ground, before the general Fire breaks out; and these
by corroding the Bowels of the Earth, will make it more hollow, and more
ruinous; and when the Earth is so far dissolv’d, that the Cavities
within the Mountains are fill’d with Lakes of Fire, then the Mountains
will sink, and fall into those boiling Cauldrons, which in Time will
dissolve them, though they were as hard as Adamant.
There is another Engine that will tear the Earth with great Violence,
and rend in pieces whatsoever is above or about those Parts of it; and
that is the Element of Water, so gentle in it self when undisturb’d: But
’tis found by Experience, that when Water falls into liquid Metals, it
flies about with an incredible Impetuosity, and breaks or bears down
every Thing that would stop its Motion and Expansion. This Force I take
to come from the sudden and strong Rarefaction of its Parts, which make
a kind of Explosion, when it is sudden and vehement; and this is one of
the greatest Forces we know in Nature: Accordingly I am apt to think,
that the marvellous Force of Vulcano’s, when they throw out Lumps of
Rocks, great Fragments of the Earth, and other heavy Bodies, to such a
vast Height and Distance, that it is done by this way of Explosion: And
that Explosion made by the sudden Rarefaction of Sea Waters, that fall
into Pans or Receptacles of molten Ore and ardent Liquors, within the
Cavities of the Mountain; and thereupon follow the Noises, Roarings, and
Eruptions of those Places. ’Tis observ’d, that Vulcano’s are in
Mountains, and generally, if not always, near the Sea; and when its
Waters, by subterraneous Passages, are driven under the Mountain, either
by a particular Wind, or by a great Agitation of the Waves, they meet
there with Metals and fiery Minerals, dissolv’d; and are immediately,
according to our Supposition, rarified, and, by way of Explosion, fly
out at the Mouth or Funnel of the Mountain, bearing before them
whatsoever stands in their Way. Whether this be a true Account, or no,
of the present Vulcano’s and their Eruptions, ’tis manifest, that such
Cases as we have mention’d, will happen in the Conflagration of the
Earth, and that such Eruptions or Disruptions of the Earth will follow
thereupon: and that these will contribute very much to the sinking of
Mountains, the splitting of Rocks, and the bringing of all strong Holds
of Nature under the Power of the general Fire.
To conclude this Point: The Mountains will all be brought low, in that
State of Nature either by Earthquakes, or subterraneous Fires; _Every
Valley shall be exalted, and every Mountain and Hill shall be made low_,
_Isa. xl. 4._ Which will be literally true at the second coming of our
Saviour, as it was figuratively apply’d to his first coming, _Luke iii.
5._ Now, being once levell’d with the rest of the Earth, the Question
will only be, how they shall be dissolv’d? But there is no terrestrial
Body indissolvable to Fire, if it have a due Strength and Continuance;
and this last Fire will have both, in the highest degrees; so that it
cannot but be capable of dissolving all elementary Compositions, how
hard or solid soever they be.
’Tis true, these Mountains and Rocks, as I said before, will have the
Privilege to be the last destroy’d. These, with the deep Parts of the
Sea, and the polar Regions of the Earth, will undergo a slower Fate, and
be consum’d more leisurely. The Action of the last Fire may be
distinguish’d into two Times, or two Assaults; the first Assault will
carry off all Mankind, and all the Works of the Earth that are easily
combustible; and this will be done with a quick and sudden Motion. But
the second Assault, being employ’d about the Consumption of such Bodies,
or such Materials, as are not so easily subjected to Fire, will be of
long Continuance, and the Work of some Years. And ’tis fit it should be
so; that this flaming World may be view’d and consider’d by the
neighbouring Worlds about it, as a dreadful Spectacle, and Monument of
God’s Wrath against disloyal, and disobedient Creatures. That by this
Example, now before their Eyes, they may think of their own Fate, and
what may befal them, as well as another Planet of the same Elements and
Composition.
Thus much for the Rocks and Mountains; which, you see, according to our
Hypothesis, will be levell’d, and the whole Face of the Earth reduc’d to
Plainness and Equality; nay, which is more, melted and dissolv’d into a
Sea of liquid Fire. And because this may seem a Paradox, being more than
is usually supposed, or taken notice of, in the Doctrine of the
Conflagration, it will not be improper, in this Place, to give an
Account, wherein our Idea of the Conflagration, and its Effects, differs
from the common Opinion, and the usual Representation of it. ’Tis
commonly supposed, that the Conflagration of the World is like the
burning of a City, where the Walls and Materials of the Houses are not
melted down, but scorch’d, inflam’d, demolish’d, and made uninhabitable:
So they think in the burning of the World, such Bodies, or such Parts of
Nature, as are fit Fewel for the Fire, will be inflam’d, and, it may be,
consum’d, or reduc’d to Smoke and Ashes; but other Bodies, that are not
capable of Inflammation, will only be scorch’d and defac’d, the Beauty
and Furniture of the Earth spoil’d, and by that means, say they, it will
be laid waste and become uninhabitable. This seems to me a very short
and imperfect Idea of the Conflagration; neither agreeable to Scripture,
nor to the Deductions that may be made from Scripture. We therefore
suppose that this is but half the Work; this destroying of the outward
Garniture of the Earth, is but the first Onset, and that the
Conflagration will end in a Dissolution and Liquefaction of the Elements
and all the exterior Region of the Earth; so as to become a true Deluge
of Fire, or a Sea of Fire overspreading the whole Globe of the Earth.
This State of the Conflagration, I think, may be plainly prov’d; partly
by the Expressions of Scripture concerning it, and partly from the
_Renovation_ of the Earth that is to follow upon it. Saint _Peter_, who
is our chief Guide in the Doctrine of the Conflagration, says, _2 Pet.
iii. 10, 11._ _The Elements will be melted with fervent Heat_; besides
burning up the Works of the Earth. Then adds, _Seeing all these Things
shall be dissolv’d_, &c. These Terms of _Liquefaction_ and _Dissolution_
cannot, without Violence, be restrained to simple Devastation, and
superficial Scorching. Such Expressions carry the Work a great deal
further, even to that full Sense which we propose. Besides, the Prophets
often speak of the melting of the Earth, or of the Hills and Mountains,
at the Presence of the Lord, in the Day of his Wrath, _Isa. xxxiv. 3, 4.
& xliv. 1, 2._ _Nah. i. 5._ _Psal. xcvii. 5._ And Saint _John_ (_Apoc.
xv. 2._) tells us of a _Sea of Glass, mingled with Fire_; where the
Saints stood, singing the Song of _Moses_, and triumphing over their
Enemies, the Spiritual _Pharaoh_ and his Host, that were swallowed up in
it. The _Sea of Glass_, must be a Sea of _molten_ Glass; it must be
fluid, not solid, if a Sea; neither can a solid Substance be said to be
_mingled with Fire_, as this was. And to this answers the _Lake of Fire
and Brimstone_, which the Beast and false Prophet were thrown into
alive, _Apoc. xix. 20._ These all refer to the End of the World, and the
last Fire, and also plainly imply, or express rather, that State of
Liquefaction which we suppose and assert.
Furthermore, the _Renovation_ of the World, or the _New Heaven_ and _New
Earth_, which St. _Peter_, out of the Prophets, tells us shall spring
out of these that are burnt and dissolved, do suppose this Earth reduc’d
into a fluid Chaos, that it may lay a Foundation for a second World. If
you take such a Skeleton of an Earth, as your scorching Fire would leave
behind it; where the Flesh is torn from the Bones, and the Rocks and
Mountains stand naked, and staring upon you; the Sea, half empty, gaping
at the Sun, and the Cities all in Ruins, and in Rubbish; how would you
raise a new World from this? And a World fit to be an _Habitation for
the Righteous_? For so St. _Peter_ makes that to be, which is to succeed
after the Conflagration, _2 Pet. iii. 13._ And a World also _without a
Sea_? So St. _John_ describes the new Earth he saw, _Apoc. xxi. 1._ As
these Characters do not agree to the present Earth, so neither would
they agree to _your_ future one; for if that dead Lump could revive and
become habitable again, it would however retain all the Imperfections of
the former Earth, besides some Scars, and Deformities of its own.
Wherefore, if you would cast the Earth into a new, and better Mould, you
must first melt it down; and the last Fire, being as a _Refiner_’s Fire,
will make an Improvement in it, both as to Matter and Form. To conclude,
it must be reduc’d into a fluid Mass, in the Nature of a Chaos, as it
was at first; but this last will be a fiery Chaos, as that was watery;
and from this State it will emerge again into a Paradisaical World. But
this being the Subject of the following Book, we will discourse no more
of it in this Place.