_LONDON_:
Printed for J. HOOKE in _Fleet-street_.
A Review.
To take a _Review_ of this _Theory_ of the _Earth_, which we have now
finish’d, we must consider, first, the Extent of it, and then the
principal Parts whereof it consists: It reaches, as you see, from one
End of the World to the other; from the first Chaos to the last Day, and
the Consummation of all Things. This probably, will run the length of
seven thousand Years; which is a good competent Space of Time to
exercise our Thoughts upon, and to observe the several Scenes which
Nature and Providence bring into View within the Compass of so many
Ages.
The Matter and principal Parts of this _Theory_ are such things as are
recorded in Scripture: We do not feign a Subject, and then discant upon
it, for Diversion; but endeavour to give an intelligible and rational
Account of such Matters of Fact, past or future, as are there specified
and declared. What it hath seem’d good to the Holy Ghost to communicate
to us, by History or Prophecy, concerning the several States and general
Changes of this Earth, makes the Argument of our Discourse: Therefore
the Things themselves must be taken for granted, in one Sense or other,
seeing, besides all other Proofs, they have the Authority of a
Revelation; and our Business is only to give such an Explication of
them, as shall approve it self to the Faculties of Man, and be
conformable to Scripture.
We will therefore first set down the Things themselves, that make the
subject Matter of this _Theory_; and remind you of our Explication of
them: Then recollect the general Proofs of that Explication, from Reason
and Nature; but more fully and particularly shew how it is grounded upon
Scripture. The primary _Phænomena_ whereof we are to give an Account,
are these five or six.