N00508:89
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.
8. Of the sam• Nature was that, when the Apostles were prayi••, the place where they were, was shaken, God giv••g them by this Miracle a Testimony that their prayers were heard: Acts 4.3• And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together. The Greek word properly signifies to be moved up and down, like the Waves of the Sea, and is the same with that in the present ⟨p. 27⟩Text, where it is said, by the Earthquake the foundations of the Prison were shaken, which also I reckon to be of the number of those that are caused miraculously and immediately by God, without those Causes that others are produced by.
What may be inferred and learned from this?
What may be inferred and learn'd from this?
1. May we not learn the certain Existence of the Deity? Doth it not follow there is, and must be a God? if we may argue from an Effect to a Cause, when there is an Effect that cannot be ascribed to any Creature, must there not be a Being that is, and is no Creature? when things are done, that are not done by finite power, must there not be an infinite power by which they are done, when there is no medium betwixt that which is finite and that which is infinite? when any thing is effected, of which no natural Cause can be named, must there not be a supernatural? Aaron at God's command stretched out his hand with his Rod, and smote the Dust of the Earth, and it became Lice in Man and in Beast; all the Dust of the Land became Lice throughout all the Land of Egypt; and when the Magicians did so with their Enchantments to bring forth Lice, and could not, did not these Magicians themselves say unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God?