that the marine Bodyes aforefaid are found in all Parts of the known World, as well in Europe, Africa, and America, as in Afia, and this even to the very Tops of the highest Mountains : and then I think he cannot reasonably doubt of the Propofition; but more efpecialy if bereunto be fhall joyn what I offer concerning the Great Abyfs, and thence learn that there is at this Day refident, in that huge Con ceptacle, Water enough to effect fuch a Deluge, to drown the whole Globe, and lay all, even the higheft Mountains under Water. But if he should be at a Lofs to know how I got fuch Notice of that fubterranean Refervatory as to enable me to make a Computation of the Quantity of Water now concealed therein, if he carefully perufe the Propofitions concerning Earthquakes, and fome others, in the Third Part, he cannot but difcover at least Some of the Ways whereby I got Light thereinto: and at the fame Time find why it is that I am fo particular in relating the Phænomena of Earthquakes, and dwell fo long upon that Subject in this fhorter Work. THESE A 4 THESE I intend for Example and Direction to the Reader how he may fatisfy himself in any of the other Heads. 'Tis impoffible for me to foresee the Difficulties and Hafita tions of every one; they will be more or fewer, according to the Capacity of each Perufer, and as his Penetration and Infight into Nature is greater or lefs. Thofe who have Attention enough to take in the intire Platform as bere laid down: who fee the Chain which runs through the whole and can pick up and bear in Mind the Obfervations and Proofs here and there as they lie, and then confer them with the Propofitions, will difcern in great Meafure, bow thofe Propofitions flow from them; but they, who cannot fo eafyly do this, must be intreated to have a little Patience, untill the Thing be farther unfolded, and more amply and plainly made out. A FEW advances there are, in the following Papers, tending to affert the Superintendence and Agency of of Providence in the natural World: as alfo to evince the Fidelity and Exactness of the Mofaic Narrative of the Creation, and of the Deluge. Which 'tis not improbable but fome may be apt to ftumble at, and think ftrange that, in a Phyfical Difcourse, as this is, I fhould intermeddle with Matters of that Kind. But I may very Safely fay, that, as to the former, I have not enter'd farther into it than meerly I was lead by the Neceffity of my Subject: nor could I have done lefs than I have, without the most apparent Injury and Injustice to Truth. And for Mofes, he bar ving given an Account of fome Things which I bere treat of, I was bound to allow him the fame Plea that I do other Writers, and to confider what he bath deliver'd. In order to this I fet afide every Thing that might byafs my Mind, over-awe, or mislead me in the Scrutiny and therefore have Regard to him here only as an Hiftorian. I freely bring what he bath related to the Teft, comparing it with Things as now they ftand: and finding his Account to be punctu aly www aly true, I fairly declare what I find; wherein I do him but fimply Right, and only the fame that I would to a common Hiftorian, to Berofus or Manetho, to Herodotus or Livy, on like Occafion. The The CONTENTS A Differtation concerning Shells, and Land; proving that they were ori-· ginaly generated and formed at Sea: that they are the real Spoils of once living Animals and not Stones, |