Chapter II: Preface: To the Reader

I have not much to say to the Reader in this Preface to the Third Part of the Theory; seeing it treats upon a Subject own’d by all, and out of Dispute: _The Conflagration of the World_. The Question will be only about the Bounds and Limits of the Conflagration, the Causes and the Manner of it. These I have fixed, according to the truest Measures I could take from Scripture, and from Nature. I differ, I believe, from the common Sentiment in this, that, in following St. _Peter_’s Philosophy, I suppose, that the burning of the Earth, will be a true Liquefaction or Dissolution of it, as to the exterior Region. And that this lays a Foundation for _new Heavens_ and a _new Earth_; which seems to me as plain a Doctrine in Christian Religion, as the Conflagration itself.

I have endeavour’d to propose an intelligible Way, whereby the Earth may be consum’d by Fire. But if any one can propose another, more probable, and more consistent, I will be the first Man that shall give him Thanks for this Discovery. He that loves Truth for its own sake, is willing to receive it from any Hand; as he that truly loves his Country, is glad of a Victory over the Enemy, whether himself, or any other, has the Glory of it. I need not repeat here, what I have already said upon several Occasions, that ’tis the Substance of this Theory, whether in this Part, or in other Parts, that I mainly regard and depend upon: Being willing to suppose, that many single Explications and Particularities may be rectified, upon farther Thoughts, and clearer Light. I know our best Writings, in this Life, are but _Essays_, which we leave to Posterity to review and correct.

As to the Style, I always endeavour to express myself in a plain and perspicuous manner; that the Reader may not lose Time, nor wait too long, to know my Meaning. To give an Attendant quick Dispatch, is a Civility, whether you do his Business or no. I would not willingly give any one the Trouble of reading a Period twice over, to know the Sense of it; lest, when he comes to know it, he should not think it a Recompence for his Pains. Whereas, on the contrary, if you are easy to your Reader, he will certainly make you an Allowance for it, in his Censure.

You must not think it strange however, that the Author sometimes, in meditating upon this Subject, is warm in his Thoughts and Expressions. For to see a World perishing in Flames, Rocks melting, the Earth trembling, and an Host of Angels in the Clouds, one must be very much a Stoick, to be a cold and unconcerned Spectator of all this. And when we are mov’d ourselves, our Words will have a Tincture of those Passions which we feel. Besides, in moral Reflections which are design’d for Use, there must be some Heat, as well as dry Reason, to inspire this cold Clod of Clay, this dull Body of Earth, which we carry about with us; and you must soften and pierce that Crust, before you can come at the Soul. But especially when Things future are to be represented, you cannot use too strong Colours, if you would give them Life, and make them appear present to the Mind. Farewel.

CONTENTS OF THE CHAPTERS.

The THIRD BOOK.

CHAP. I.

_The Introduction; with the Contents and Order of this Treatise_ ... 1

CHAP. II.

_The true State of the Question is propos’d. ’Tis the general Doctrine of the Antients, That the present World, or the present Frame of Nature, is mutable and perishable; to which the sacred Books agree: And natural Reason can alledge nothing against it_ ... 7

CHAP. III.

_That the World will be destroyed by Fire, is the Doctrine of the Antients; especially of the Stoicks. That the same Doctrine is more antient than the Greeks, and deriv’d from the Barbarick Philosophy; and that probably from Noah, the Father of all traditionary Learning. The same Doctrine expresly authorized by Revelation, and inrolled into the Sacred Canon_ ... 19

CHAP. IV.

_Concerning the time of the Conflagration, and the End of the World. What the Astronomers say upon this Subject, and upon what they ground their Calculations. The true Notion of the Great Year, or of the Platonick Year, stated and explain’d_ ... 35

CHAP. V.

_Concerning Prophecies that determine the End of the World; Of what Order soever, Prophane or Sacred, Jewish or Christian. That no certain Judgment can be made from any of them, at what Distance we are from the Conflagration_ ... 45

CHAP. VI.

_Concerning the Causes of the Conflagration. The Difficulty of conceiving how this Earth can be set on Fire. With a general Answer to that Difficulty. Two suppos’d Causes of the Conflagration, by the Sun’s drawing nearer to the Earth, or the Earth’s throwing out the central Fire, examin’d and rejected_ ... 60

CHAP. VII.

_The true Bounds of the last Fire, and how far it is Fatal. The natural Causes and Materials of it, cast into three Ranks. First, Such as are exterior and visible upon Earth, where the Volcano’s of this Earth, and their Effects, are consider’d. Secondly, Such Materials as are within the Earth. Thirdly, Such as are in the Air_ ... 73

CHAP. VIII.

_Some new Dispositions towards the Conflagration, as to the Matter, Form, and Situation of the Earth. Concerning miraculous Causes, and how far the Ministry of Angels may be engaged in this Work_ ... 92

CHAP. IX.

_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_ ... 104

CHAP. X.

_Concerning the Beginning and Progress of the Conflagration, what Part of the Earth will first be burnt. The Manner of the future Destruction of Rome, according to the Prophetical Indications. The last State and Consummation of the general Fire_ ... 117

CHAP. XI.

_An Account of these extraordinary Phænomena and Wonders in Nature, that, according to Scripture, will precede the Coming of Christ, and the Conflagration of the World_ ... 130

CHAP. XII.

_An imperfect Description of the Coming of our Saviour, and of the World on Fire_ ... 143

_The Conclusion_ ... 160

The FOURTH BOOK.

CHAP. I.

_The Introduction; that the World will not be annihilated in the last Fire. That we are to expect, according to Scripture, and the Christian Doctrine, new Heavens and a new Earth, when these are dissolved or burnt up_ ... 184

CHAP. II.

_The Birth of the new Heavens and the new Earth, from the second Chaos, or the Remains of the old World. The Form, Order, and Qualities of the new Earth, according to Reason and Scripture_ ... 191

CHAP. III.

_Concerning the Inhabitants of the new Earth. That natural Reason cannot determine this Point. That, according to Scripture, the Sons of the first Resurrection, or the Heirs of the Millennium, are to be the Inhabitants of the new Earth: The Testimony of the Philosophers, and of the Christian Fathers, for the Renovation of the World. The first Proposition laid down_ ... 201

CHAP. IV.

_The Proof of a Millennium, or of a blessed Age to come, from Scripture. A View of the Apocalypse, and of the Prophecies of Daniel, in reference to this Kingdom of Christ, and of his Saints_ ... 213

CHAP. V.

_A View of other Places of Scripture, concerning the Millennium, or future Kingdom of Christ. In what Sense all the Prophets have born Testimony concerning it_ ... 229

CHAP. VI.

_The Sense and Testimony of the Primitive Church, concerning the Millennium, or future Kingdom of Christ; from the Times of the Apostles, to the Nicene Council. The second Proposition laid down, when, by what Means, and for what Reasons, that Doctrine was afterwards neglected or discountenanc’d_ ... 246

CHAP. VII.

_The true State of the Millennium, according to Characters taken from Scripture. Some Mistakes concerning it rectified_ ... 260

CHAP. VIII.

_The third Proposition laid down, concerning the Time and Place of the Millennium. Several Arguments us’d to prove, that it cannot be till after the Conflagration; and that the new Heavens and new Earth, are the true Seat of the blessed Millennium_ ... 269

CHAP. IX.

_The chief Employment of the Millennium DEVOTION and CONTEMPLATION_ ... 287

CHAP. X.

_Objections against the Millennium answer’d. With some Conjectures concerning the State of Things after the Millennium: And what will be the final Consummation of this World_ ... 305

THE THEORY OF THE EARTH.