Fire and brimstone from heaven, from earth, in hell, or, Three discourses I. Concerning…

The cause under God of these dreadful Eruptions was the Fire in the Bowels of the Mountain, which meeting with a large quantity of combustible matter and kindling it, could not be contained in so strait room, but with such noise and violence brake forth in such flames and streams at the mouth and sides.

The cause under God of these dreadful Eruptions was the Fire in the Bowels of the Mountain, which meeting with a large quantity of combustible matter and kindling it, could not be contained in so streight room, but with such noise and violence brake forth in such flames and streams at the mouth and sides.

When this Fire was first kindled is not known, the burning of the Mountain being more ancient than any History can remember. What the Poets feign concerning the War of the Giants with the Gods and their casting down great Enceladus with Thunder, and keeping him down with vast Mountains, and this of Aetna being thrown upon his head, that this Fire was kindled by his hot breath, is as ridiculous, as it is fabulous.

When this Fire was first kindled is not known, the burning of the Mountain being more ancient than any History can remember. What the Poets feign concerning the War of the Gyants with the Gods and their casting down great Enceladus with Thunder, and keeping him down with vast Mountains, and this of Aetna being thrown upon his head, that this Fire was kindled by his hot breath, is as ridiculous, as it is fabulous.

Some are of the opinion that there are Fountains of Fire under ground as well as of Water; and that in the bosom and bowels of the Earth, God hath laid up Treasures of this Element, enclosing it in vast Caverns, as in so many Store-houses; which Subterranean Fire they assign to be the cause of hot ⟨p. 70⟩