2. Sometimes Earthquakes in a Literal sense, are Prognostics of Earthquakes in a Metaphorical sense. They are a Sign of State-quakes, of Church-quakes, of Kingdom-quakes, of Province-quakes, Great Changes and Revolutions in the world, are in the Scripture called Earthquakes. The mighty Changes to be brought on the Jewish Church and Nation, first by the Babylonians, and after that by the Romans, are Predicted by the Prophet, saying, The Foundations of the Earth do shake, the ⟨p. 14⟩Earth is utterly broken down, the Earth is clean dissolved, the Earth is moved exceedingly, Isa. 24. 18, 19. That wonderful Revolution when the Roman Empire, of Pagan became Christian, is doubtless intended by the Great Earthquake under the sixth Seal, Rev 6. 12. When Constantine was established in the Imperial Throne, there was a sudden and very astonishing Change of affairs, which is fitly compared to a Great Earthquake. For that changeth the po•iture of the Earth, by Exalting Valleys and Depressing Mountains, and turning the course of Rivers, that they run another way; and sometimes are wholly absorp't thereby. Thus it was when that good Emperor was settled in the Throne. Pagans who had been the only men in Authority, were removed from their high places, those Mountains were levelled; and Christians who were like low Valleys before, were put into Chief places of Power and Trust. The Civil Government was altered with Religion. Officers and Governors were new moulded throughout all the Provinces in that Empire. This was a great Earthquake. Notwithstanding the Empire was become Christian, ⟨p. 15⟩God was resolved to destroy it; to avenge the Blood of the Martyrs, which had been shed under the Heathen Emperors. Those Wars which brought mighty deva•tations and alterations on the Empire, are denoted by the Trumpets spoken of in the Revelations, which were to cause Earthquakes, Rev. 8. 5, 6. The first of those Trumpets did (according to the judgment of the […] Interpreters,) begin to Sound in the Year of our Lord Three Hundred Sixty Five, when also there was in a Literal sense the greatest Earthquake that ever had been known in the world; and this as a Sign of those Calamitous Changes which were hastening on the Earth.
2. Sometimes Earthquakes in a Literal sense, are Prognosticks of Earthquakes in a Metaphorical sense. They are a Sign of State-quakes, of Church-quakes, of Kingdom-quakes, of Province-quakes, Great Changes and Revolutions in the world, are in the Scripture called Earthquakes. The mighty Changes to be brought on the Jewish Church and Nation, first by the Babylonians, and after that by the Romans, are Predicted by the Prophet, saying, The Foundations of the Earth do shake, the ⟨p. 14⟩Earth is utterly broken down, the Earth is clean dissolved, the Earth is moved exceedingly, Isa. 24. 18, 19. That wonderful Revolution when the Roman Empire, of Pagan became Christian, is doubtless intended by the Great Earthquake under the sixth Seal, Rev 6. 12. When Constantine was established in the Imperial Throne, there was a sudden and very astonishing Change of affairs, which is fit•y compared to a Great Earthquake. For that changeth the po•iture of the Earth, by Exalting Valleys and Depressing Mountains, and turning the course of Rivers, that they run another way; and sometimes are wholly absorp't thereby. Thus it was when that good Emperor was settled in the Throne. Pagans who had been the only men in Authority, were removed from their high places, those Mountains were levelled; and Christians who were like low Valleys before, were put into Chief places of Power and Trust. The Civil Government was altered with Religion. Officers and Governours were new moulded throughout all the Provinces in that Empire. This was a great Earthquake. Notwithstanding the Empire was become Christian, ⟨p. 15⟩God was resolved to destroy it; to avenge the Blood of the Martyrs, which had been shed under the Heathen Emperors. Those Wars which brought mighty deva•tations and alterations on the Empire, are denoted by the Trumpets spoken of in the Revelations, which were to cause Earthquakes, Rev. 8. 5, 6. The first of those Trumpets did (according to the judgment of the 〈…〉 Interpreters,) begin to Sound in the Year of our Lord Three Hundred Sixty Five, when also there was in a Literal sense the greatest Earthquake that ever had been known in the world; and this as a Sign of those Calamitous Changes which were ha•tning on the Earth.
