N00508:24
Earthquakes explained and practically improved
Earthquakes explained and practically improved: occasioned by the late earthquake on Sept. 8. 1692. in London, many other parts in England, and beyond sea. / By Thomas Doolittle, M.A. The author also of the treatise on the Lords-Supper. ; Jamaica's miseries show London's mercies. Both compared.Earthquakes explained and practically improved: occasioned by the late earthquake on Sept. 8. 1692. in London, many other parts in England, and beyond sea. / By Thomas Doolittle, M.A. The author also of the treatise on the Lords-Supper. ; Jamaica's miseries shew London's mercies. Both compared.
printed by Benjamin Harris & are to be sold, 1693
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First; God's works have been astonishing in the Heavens over our Heads, which because they are too high, and above our present Theme and Subject, I shall but briefly mention three of them, and ⟨p. 2⟩those concerning the Sun, the great enlightener of this Earth whereof we are to speak
First; God's works have been astonishing in the Heavens over our Heads, which because they are too high, and above our present Theme and Subject, I shall but briefly mention three of them, and ⟨p. 2⟩those concerning the Sun, the great inlightner of this Earth whereof we are to speak
1. The standing stil• of the Sun. It is the Doctrine of Aquinas, That Motion doth as much belong to the Nature of Heaven, as Immobility and Rest to the Nature of the Earth. The Earth is a settled, fixed Body, and therefore it is an act of mighty power in God to shake it, and to make it move: but the Sun is as a Bridegroom coming out of his Chamber, rejoicing as a strong man to run a race, according to the ordinary Law of Creation and Government in continual motion, and therefore a mighty work of God alone to cause its motion to cease and stand still. The making of the Sun to stop, which naturally cannot but move, and causing the Earth to shake and move, which naturally cannot but stand still, is an effect of equal power. The command of God doth change the Earths station into motion, and the Suns motion into standing still. Josh 10 12. Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the Children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun stand thou still upon Gibson, and thou Moon in the valley of Ajelon. Verse 13. And the Sun stood still, and the Moon stayed until the People had avenged themselves upon their Enemies. So the Sun stood still in the midst of Heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. Verse 14. And there was no day like that, before it or after, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel. Where is observable, (1.) That Joshua spake first to the Lord, and then to the Sun; for it was not Joshua's voice, but God's power that put a check to the motion of the Sun. (2.) God hearkened to the