two inmost Regions A. B. represent the Yolk and the
Membrane that lies next above it; so the Exteriour
Region of the Earth (D) is as the Shell of the Egg,
and the Abysse (C) under it as the White that lies
under the Shell. And considering that this notion
of the Mundane Egg, or that the World was Oviform,
hath been the sence and Language of all Antiquity,
Latins, Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, and others, as we
have shew'd elsewhere;
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Tell Theor.
Sac. lib. 2.
c. 10. |
I thought it worthy our notice in this place; seeing it receives such a clear and
easie explication from that Origin and Fabrick we
have given to the first Earth, and also reflects light
upon the Theory it self, and confirms it to be no fiction: This notion, which is a kind of Epitome or
Image of it, having been conserv'd in the most ancient Learning.
Thus much concerning the first Earth, its production and form; and concerning our Second Propesition relating to it: Which being prov'd by Reason,
the laws of Nature, and the motions of the Chaos;
then attested by Antiquity, both as to the matter
and form of it; and confirm'd by Sacred Writers,
we may take it now for a well establisht truth, and
proceed upon this supposition, That the Ante-diluvian
Earth was smooth and uniform, without Mountains or Sea,
to the explication of the universal Deluge.
Give me leave only before we proceed any further,
to annex here a short Advertisement, concerning the
causes of this wonderful structure of the first Earth.
'Tis true, we have propos'd the Natural Causes of it,
and I do not know wherein our Explication is false
or defective; but in things of this kind we may easily be too credulous. And this structure is so marvellous, that it ought rather to be consider'd as a particular effect of the Divine Art, than as the work of Nature. The whole Globe of the Water vaulted over,
and the Exteriour Earth hanging above the Deep,
sustain'd by nothing but its own measures and manner
of construction: A Building without foundation or
corner-stone. This seems to be a piece of Divine
Geometry or Architecture; and to this, I think, is to
be refer'd that magnificent challenge which God Al
