CHAP. VIII.
The particular History of Noah's Flood is explain'd
in all the material parts and circumstances of it,
according to the preceding Theory. Any seeming
difficulties removed, and the whole Section concluded, with a Discourse how far the Deluge may
be lookt upon as the effect of an ordinary Providence, and how far of an extraordinary.
WE have now proved our Explication of the
Deluge to be more than an Idea, or to be a
true piece of Natural History; and it may be the greatest and most remarkable that hath yet been since the
beginning of the World. We have shown it to be
the real account of Noah's Flood, according to Authority both Divine and Humane; and I would willingly proceed one step further, and declare my
thoughts concerning the manner and order wherein
Noah's Flood came to pass; In what method all those
things happen'd and succeeded one another, that
make up the History of it, as causes or effects, or
other parts or circumstances: As how the Ark was
born upon the waters, what effect the Rains had that
fell first, at what time the Earth broke, and the
Abysse was open'd; and what the condition of the
Earth was upon the ending of the Flood, and such
like. But I desire to propose my thoughts concerning these things only as conjectures, which I will
ground as near as I can upon Scripture and Reason,
and am very willing they should be rectifi'd where
they happen to be amiss. I know how subject we
are to mistakes in these great and remote things, when
we descend to particularities; but I am willing to
expose the Theory to a full trial, and to shew the
way for any to examine it, provided they do it with
