they_o deserve_v this_o censure_n i_o be_o sure_a if_o they_o do_v not_o only_o disbelieve_v but_o also_o scoff_n at_o this_o prophetic_a and_o apostolic_a doctrine_n concern_v the_o vicissitude_n of_o nature_n and_o a_o triple_a world_n the_o apostle_n in_o this_o discourse_n do_v formal_o distinguish_v three_o world_n for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o hebrew_n have_v no_o word_n to_o signify_v the_o natural_a world_n but_o use_v that_o periphrasis_n the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n and_o upon_o each_o of_o they_o engrave_v a_o name_n and_o title_n that_o bear_v a_o note_n of_o distinction_n in_o it_o he_o call_v they_o the_o old_a heaven_n and_o earth_n the_o present_a heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o new_a heaven_n and_o earth_n it_o be_v true_a these_o three_o be_v one_o as_o to_o matter_n and_o substance_n but_o they_o must_v differ_v as_o to_o form_n and_o property_n otherwise_o what_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o this_o distinction_n and_o of_o these_o three_o different_a appellation_n suppose_v the_o jew_n have_v expect_v ezekiel_n temple_n for_o the_o three_o and_o last_o and_o most_o perfect_a and_o that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n they_o have_v speak_v of_o they_o with_o this_o distinction_n or_o under_o these_o different_a name_n the_o old_a temple_n the_o present_a temple_n and_o the_o new_a temple_n we_o expect_v will_v any_o have_v understand_v those_o three_o of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o temple_n never_o demolish_v never_o change_v never_o rebuilt_a always_o the_o same_o both_o as_o to_o material_n and_o form_n no_o doubtless_o but_o of_o three_o several_a temple_n succeed_v one_o another_o and_o have_v we_o not_o the_o same_o reason_n to_o understand_v this_o temple_n of_o the_o world_n whereof_o s._n peter_n speak_v to_o be_v threefold_a in_o succession_n see_v he_o do_v as_o plain_o distinguish_v it_o into_o the_o old_a heaven_n and_o earth_n the_o present_a heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o new_a heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o i_o do_v the_o more_o willing_o use_v this_o comparison_n of_o the_o temple_n because_o it_o have_v be_v think_v a_o emblem_n of_o the_o outward_a world_n i_o know_v we_o be_v natural_o averse_a to_o entertain_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o general_a frame_n and_o texture_n of_o our_o own_o thought_n that_o be_v to_o begin_v the_o world_n again_o and_o we_o often_o reject_v such_o thing_n without_o examination_n neither_o do_v i_o wonder_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o interpreter_n beat_v down_o the_o apostle_n word_n and_o sense_n to_o their_o own_o notion_n they_o have_v no_o other_o ground_n to_o go_v upon_o and_o man_n be_v not_o willing_a especial_o in_o natural_a and_o comprehensible_a thing_n to_o put_v such_o a_o meaning_n upon_o scripture_n as_o be_v unintelligible_a to_o themselves_o they_o rather_o venture_v to_o offer_v a_o little_a violence_n to_o the_o word_n that_o they_o may_v pitch_v the_o sense_n at_o such_o a_o convenient_a height_n as_o their_o principle_n will_v reach_v to_o and_o therefore_o though_o some_o of_o our_o modern_a interpreter_n who_o i_o mention_v before_o have_v be_v sensible_a of_o the_o natural_a tendency_n of_o this_o discourse_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o have_v much_o ado_n to_o bear_v off_o the_o force_n of_o the_o word_n so_o as_o not_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o import_v a_o real_a diversity_n betwixt_o the_o two_o world_n speak_v of_o yet_o have_v no_o principle_n to_o guide_v or_o support_v they_o in_o follow_v that_o tract_n they_o be_v force_v to_o stop_v or_o divert_v another_o way_n it_o be_v like_a enter_v into_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o cave_n we_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o venture_v further_o than_o the_o light_n go_v nor_o be_v they_o much_o to_o blame_v for_o this_o the_o fault_n be_v only_o in_o those_o person_n that_o continue_v wilful_o in_o their_o darkness_n and_o when_o they_o can_v otherwise_o resist_v the_o light_n shut_v their_o eye_n against_o it_o or_o turn_v their_o head_n another_o way_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a i_o have_v stay_v too_o long_o upon_o this_o argument_n not_o for_o my_o own_o sake_n but_o to_o satisfy_v other_o you_o may_v please_v to_o remember_v that_o all_o that_o i_o have_v say_v hitherto_o belong_v only_o to_o the_o first_o head_n to_o prove_v a_o diversity_n in_o general_n betwixt_o the_o ante-diluvian_a heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o present_a not_o express_v what_o their_o particular_a form_n be_v and_o this_o general_a diversity_n may_v be_v argue_v also_o by_o observation_n take_v from_o moses_n his_o history_n of_o the_o world_n before_o and_o after_o the_o flood_n from_o the_o longevity_n of_o the_o antediluvian_o the_o rainbow_n appear_v after_o the_o deluge_n and_o the_o break_v open_o a_o abyss_n capable_a to_o overflow_v the_o earth_n the_o heaven_n that_o have_v no_o rainbow_n and_o under_o who_o 5._o benign_a and_o steady_a influence_n man_n live_v seven_o eight_o nine_o hundred_o year_n and_o upward_o must_v have_v be_v of_o a_o different_a aspect_n and_o constitution_n from_o the_o present_a heaven_n and_o that_o earth_n that_o have_v such_o a_o abyss_n that_o the_o disruption_n of_o it_o make_v a_o universal_a deluge_n must_v have_v be_v of_o another_o form_n than_o the_o present_a earth_n and_o those_o that_o will_v not_o admit_v a_o diversity_n in_o the_o two_o world_n be_v bind_v to_o give_v we_o a_o intelligible_a account_n of_o these_o phaenomena_n how_o they_o can_v possible_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n like_o the_o present_a or_o if_o they_o be_v there_o once_o why_o they_o do_v not_o continue_v so_o still_o if_o nature_n be_v the_o same_o we_o need_v say_v no_o more_o as_o to_o the_o ante-diluvian_a heaven_n but_o as_o to_o the_o earth_n we_o must_v now_o according_a to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o first_o head_n inquire_v if_o that_o particular_a form_n which_o we_o have_v assign_v it_o before_o the_o flood_n be_v agreeable_a to_o scripture_n you_o know_v how_o we_o have_v describe_v the_o form_n and_o situation_n of_o that_o earth_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v build_v over_o the_o abyss_n as_o a_o regular_a orb_n cover_v and_o encompass_v the_o water_n round_o about_o and_o found_v as_o it_o be_v upon_o they_o there_o be_v many_o passage_n of_o scripture_n that_o favour_n this_o description_n some_o more_o express_o other_o upon_o a_o due_a explication_n to_o this_o purpose_n there_o be_v two_o express_a text_n in_o the_o psalm_n as_o psal._n 24._o 1_o 2._o the_o earth_n be_v the_o lord_n and_o the_o fullness_n thereof_o the_o habitable_a world_n and_o they_o that_o dwell_v therein_o for_o he_o have_v found_v it_o upon_o notion_n the_o sea_n and_o establish_v it_o upon_o the_o flood_n a_o earth_n found_v upon_o the_o sea_n and_o establish_v upon_o the_o water_n be_v not_o this_o the_o earth_n we_o have_v describe_v the_o first_o earth_n as_o it_o come_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o its_o maker_n where_o can_v we_o now_o find_v in_o nature_n such_o a_o earth_n as_o have_v the_o sea_n and_o the_o water_n for_o its_o foundation_n neither_o be_v this_o text_n without_o a_o second_o as_o a_o fellow-witness_n to_o confirm_v the_o same_o truth_n for_o in_o the_o 136._o psalm_n ver_fw-la 4_o 5_o 6._o we_o read_v to_o the_o same_o effect_n in_o these_o word_n to_o he_o who_o alone_o do_v great_a wonder_n to_o he_o that_o by_o wisdom_n make_v the_o heaven_n to_o he_o that_o stretch_v out_o the_o earth_n above_o the_o water_n we_o can_v hardly_o express_v that_o form_n of_o the_o ante-diluvian_a earth_n in_o word_n more_o determinate_a than_o these_o be_v let_v we_o then_o in_o the_o same_o simplicity_n of_o heart_n follow_v the_o word_n of_o scripture_n see_v this_o literal_a sense_n be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o nature_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a agreeable_a to_o it_o upon_o the_o strict_a examination_n and_o we_o can_v without_o some_o violence_n turn_v the_o word_n to_o any_o other_o sense_n what_o tolerable_a interpretation_n can_v these_o admit_v of_o if_o we_o do_v not_o allow_v the_o earth_n once_o to_o have_v encompass_v and_o overspread_v the_o face_n of_o the_o water_n to_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o water_n to_o be_v establish_v upon_o the_o water_n to_o be_v extend_v upon_o the_o water_n what_o rational_a or_o satisfactory_a account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o these_o phrase_n and_o expression_n from_o any_o thing_n we_o find_v in_o the_o present_a situation_n of_o the_o earth_n or_o how_o can_v they_o be_v verify_v concern_v it_o consult_v interpreter_n ancient_a or_o modern_a upon_o these_o two_o place_n see_v if_o they_o answer_v your_o expectation_n or_o answer_v the_o natural_a importance_n of_o the_o word_n unless_o they_o acknowledge_v another_o form_n of_o the_o earth_n than_o the_o present_a because_o a_o rock_n hang_v its_o nose_n over_o the_o sea_n must_v the_o body_n of_o the_o
earth_n be_v say_v to_o be_v stretch_v over_o the_o water_n or_o because_o there_o be_v water_n in_o some_o subterraneous_a cavity_n be_v the_o earth_n therefore_o found_v upon_o the_o sea_n yet_o such_o lame_a explication_n as_o these_o you_o will_v meet_v with_o and_o while_o we_o have_v no_o better_a light_n we_o must_v content_v ourselves_o with_o they_o but_o when_o a_o explication_n be_v offer_v that_o answer_v the_o propriety_n force_n and_o extent_n of_o the_o word_n to_o reject_v it_o only_o because_o it_o be_v not_o fit_v to_o our_o former_a opinion_n or_o because_o we_o do_v not_o first_o think_v of_o it_o be_v to_o take_v a_o ill_a method_n in_o expound_v scripture_n this_o foundation_n or_o establishment_n of_o the_o earth_n upon_o the_o sea_n this_o extension_n of_o it_o above_o the_o water_n relate_v plain_o to_o the_o body_n or_o whole_a circuit_n of_o the_o earth_n not_o to_o parcel_n and_o particle_n of_o it_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o occasion_n and_o its_o be_v join_v with_o the_o heaven_n the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o david_n be_v speak_v of_o the_o origin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o wisdom_n in_o the_o construction_n and_o situation_n of_o our_o earth_n and_o these_o attribute_n do_v not_o appear_v from_o the_o hole_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o break_a rock_n which_o have_v rather_o the_o face_n of_o a_o ruin_n than_o of_o wisdom_n but_o in_o that_o wonderful_a libration_n and_o expansion_n of_o the_o first_o earth_n over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o water_n sustain_v by_o its_o own_o proportion_n and_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o providence_n these_o two_o place_n in_o the_o psalm_n be_v due_o consider_v we_o shall_v more_o easy_o understand_v a_o three_o place_n to_o the_o same_o effect_n in_o the_o proverb_n deliver_v by_o wisdom_n concern_v the_o origin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o form_n of_o the_o first_o earth_n in_o these_o word_n chap._n 8._o 27._o when_o he_o prepare_v the_o heaven_n i_o be_v there_o when_o he_o set_v a_o orb_n or_o sphere_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o abyss_n we_o render_v it_o when_o we_o set_v a_o compass_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o abyss_n but_o if_o we_o have_v right_o interpret_v the_o prophet_n david_n it_o be_v plain_a enough_o what_o compass_n be_v here_o to_o be_v understand_v not_o a_o imaginary_a circle_n for_o why_o shall_v that_o be_v think_v one_o of_o the_o wonderful_a work_n of_o god_n but_o that_o exterior_a orb_n of_o the_o earth_n that_o be_v set_v upon_o the_o water_n that_o be_v the_o masterpiece_n of_o the_o divine_a art_n in_o frame_v of_o the_o first_o earth_n and_o therefore_o very_o fit_a to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o wisdom_n and_o upon_o this_o occasion_n i_o desire_v you_o to_o reflect_v upon_o st._n peter_n expression_n concern_v the_o first_o earth_n and_o to_o compare_v it_o with_o solomon_n to_o see_v if_o they_o do_v not_o answer_v one_o another_o st._n peter_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o earth_n consist_v stand_v or_o sustain_v by_o the_o water_n and_o solomon_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o orb_n draw_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o abyss_n and_o st._n peter_n say_v that_o be_v do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o same_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o wisdom_n that_o here_o declare_v herself_o to_o have_v be_v present_a at_o this_o work_n add_v now_o to_o these_o two_o place_n the_o two_o foremention_v out_o of_o the_o psalmist_n a_o earth_n found_v upon_o the_o sea_n psal._n 24._o 2._o and_o a_o earth_n stretch_v out_o above_o the_o water_n psal._n 136._o 6._o can_v any_o body_n doubt_n or_o question_n but_o all_o these_o four_o text_n refer_v to_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o see_v st._n peter_n description_n refer_v certain_o to_o the_o ante-diluvian_a earth_n they_o must_v all_o refer_v to_o it_o and_o do_v all_o as_o certain_o and_o evident_o agree_v with_o our_o theory_n concern_v the_o form_n and_o situation_n of_o it_o the_o pendulous_a form_n and_o posture_n of_o that_o first_o earth_n be_v prove_v from_o these_o four_o place_n it_o be_v more_o easy_a and_o emphatical_a to_o interpret_v in_o this_o sense_n that_o passage_n in_o job_n ch_n 26._o 7._o he_o stretch_v out_o the_o north_n over_o the_o tohu_n for_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o original_n and_o hang_v the_o earth_n upon_o nothing_o and_o this_o strange_a foundation_n or_o no_o foundation_n of_o the_o exterior_a earth_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o those_o noble_a question_n propose_v to_o job_n by_o god_n almighty_a ch_n 38._o where_o be_v thou_o when_o i_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o earth_n declare_v if_o thou_o have_v understanding_n whereupon_o be_v the_o foundation_n thereof_o fasten_v and_o who_o lay_v the_o corner_n stone_n there_o be_v neither_o foundation_n nor_o corner_n stone_n in_o that_o piece_n of_o architecture_n and_o that_o be_v it_o which_o make_v the_o art_n and_o wonder_n of_o it_o but_o i_o have_v speak_v more_o large_o to_o these_o place_n in_o the_o theory_n itself_o and_o if_o the_o four_o 88_o text_n beforementioned_a be_v consider_v without_o prejudice_n i_o think_v there_o be_v few_o matter_n of_o natural_a speculation_n that_o can_v be_v so_o well_o prove_v out_o of_o scripture_n as_o the_o form_n which_o we_o have_v give_v to_o the_o ante-diluvian_a earth_n but_o yet_o it_o may_v be_v think_v a_o just_a if_o not_o a_o necessary_a appendix_n to_o this_o discourse_n concern_v the_o form_n of_o the_o ante-diluvian_a earth_n to_o give_v a_o account_n also_o of_o the_o ante-diluvian_a abyss_n and_o the_o situation_n of_o it_o according_a to_o scripture_n for_o the_o relation_n which_o these_o two_o have_v to_o one_o another_o will_v be_v a_o further_a mean_n to_o discover_v if_o we_o have_v right_o determine_v the_o form_n of_o that_o earth_n the_o abyss_n or_o tehom-rabbah_a be_v a_o scripture_n notion_n and_o the_o word_n be_v not_o use_v that_o i_o know_v of_o in_o that_o distinct_a and_o peculiar_a sense_n in_o heathen_a author_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o in_o scripture_n it_o be_v not_o always_o take_v for_o the_o sea_n as_o gen._n 1._o 2._o &_o 7._o 11._o &_o 49._o 25._o deut._n 33._o 13._o job_n 28._o 14._o &_o 38._o 16._o ps._n 33._o 7._o &_o 71._o 20._o &_o 78._o 15._o &_o 135._o 6._o apoc._n 20._o 1._o 3._o but_o for_o some_o other_o mass_n of_o water_n or_o subterraneous_a storehouse_n and_o this_o be_v observe_v we_o may_v easy_o discover_v the_o nature_n and_o set_v down_o the_o history_n of_o the_o scripture-abyss_n the_o mother-abyss_n be_v no_o doubt_n that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o genesis_n ver_fw-la 2._o which_o have_v nothing_o but_o darkness_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o it_o or_o a_o thick_a caliginous_a air_n the_o next_o news_n we_o hear_v of_o this_o abyss_n be_v at_o the_o deluge_n gen._n 7.11_o where_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v break_v open_a and_o the_o water_n of_o it_o to_o have_v drown_v the_o world_n it_o seem_v then_o this_o abyss_n be_v close_v up_o some_o time_n betwixt_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o deluge_n and_o have_v get_v another_o cover_n than_o that_o of_o darkness_n and_o if_o we_o will_v believe_v wisdom_n prov._n 8._o 27._o who_o be_v there_o present_a at_o the_o formation_n of_o the_o earth_n a_o orb_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o abyss_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n that_o these_o three_o place_n refer_v to_o the_o same_o abyss_n i_o think_v can_v be_v question_v by_o any_o that_o will_v compare_v they_o and_o consider_v they_o that_o of_o the_o deluge_n moses_n call_v there_o tehom-rabbah_a the_o great_a abyss_n and_o can_v there_o be_v any_o great_a than_o the_o forementioned_a mother-abuss_a and_o wisdom_n in_o that_o place_n in_o the_o proverb_n use_v the_o same_o phrase_n and_o word_n with_o moses_n gen._n 1._o 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o deep_a or_o of_o the_o abyss_n change_v darkness_n for_o that_o orb_n of_o the_o exterior_a earth_n which_o be_v make_v afterward_o to_o enclose_v it_o and_o in_o this_o vault_n it_o lay_v and_o under_o this_o cover_n when_o the_o psalmist_n speak_v of_o it_o in_o these_o word_n ps._n 33._o 7._o he_o gather_v the_o water_n of_o the_o sea_n as_o in_o a_o sense_n bag_n he_o lay_v up_o the_o abyss_n in_o storehouse_n last_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o it_o be_v this_o mother-abyss_n who_o womb_n be_v burst_v at_o the_o deluge_n when_o the_o sea_n be_v bear_v and_o break_v forth_o as_o if_o it_o have_v issue_v out_o of_o a_o womb_n as_o god_n express_v it_o to_o job_n ch_n 38._o 8._o in_o which_o place_n the_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n read_v it_o when_o it_o break_v forth_o
scripture-testimony_n with_o design_n chief_o to_o obviate_v and_o disappoint_v the_o evasion_n of_o such_o as_o will_v beat_v down_o solid_a text_n into_o thin_a metaphor_n and_o allegory_n the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n concern_v the_o renovation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v either_o express_a or_o implicit_a those_o i_o call_v express_v that_o mention_v the_o new_a heaven_n and_o new_a earth_n and_o those_o implicit_a that_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n but_o not_o in_o express_a term_n so_o when_o our_o saviour_n speak_v of_o a_o palingenesia_n or_o regeneration_n matt._n 19_o 28_o 29._o or_o st._n peter_n of_o a_o apocatastasis_fw-la or_o restitution_n act._n 3._o 21._o these_o be_v word_n use_v by_o all_o author_n profane_a or_o ecclesiastical_a for_o the_o renovation_n of_o the_o world_n aught_o in_o reason_n to_o be_v interpret_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n in_o the_o holy_a write_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n when_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o his_o future_a earth_n 〈◊〉_d or_o a_o habitable_a world_n to_o come_v hebr._fw-la 2._o 5._o or_o of_o a_o redemption_n or_o melioration_n of_o the_o present_a state_n of_o nature_n rom._n 8._o 21_o 22._o these_o lead_v we_o again_o in_o other_o term_n to_o the_o same_o renovation_n of_o the_o world_n but_o there_o be_v also_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n that_o set_v the_o new_a heaven_n and_o new_a earth_n in_o such_o a_o full_a and_o open_a view_n that_o we_o must_v shut_v our_o eye_n not_o to_o see_v they_o st._n john_n say_v he_o see_v they_o and_o observe_v the_o form_n of_o the_o new_a earth_n apoc._n 21._o 1._o the_o seer_n isaish_n speak_v of_o they_o in_o express_a word_n 17._o many_o hundred_o year_n before_o and_o st._n peter_n mark_v the_o time_n when_o they_o be_v to_o be_v introduce_v namely_o after_o the_o conflagration_n or_o after_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o present_a heaven_n and_o earth_n 2_o pet._n 3._o 12_o 13._o these_o late_a text_n of_o scripture_n be_v so_o express_v there_o be_v but_o one_o way_n leave_v to_o elude_v the_o force_n of_o they_o and_o that_o be_v by_o turn_v the_o renovation_n of_o the_o world_n into_o a_o allegory_n and_o make_v the_o new_a heaven_n and_o new_a earth_n to_o be_v allegorical_a heaven_n and_o earth_n not_o real_a and_o material_a as_o we_o be_v this_o be_v a_o bold_a attempt_n of_o some_o modern_a author_n who_o choose_v rather_o to_o strain_v the_o word_n of_o god_n than_o their_o own_o notion_n there_o be_v allegory_n no_o doubt_n in_o scripture_n but_o we_o be_v not_o to_o allegorise_v scripture_n without_o some_o warrant_n either_o from_o a_o apostolical_a interpretation_n or_o from_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o either_o of_o these_o in_o this_o case_n however_o that_o they_o may_v have_v all_o fair_a play_n we_o will_v lay_v aside_o at_o present_a all_o the_o other_o text_n of_o scripture_n and_o confine_v ourselves_o whole_o to_o st._n peter_n word_n to_o see_v and_o examine_v whether_o they_o be_v or_o can_v be_v turn_v into_o a_o allegory_n according_a to_o the_o best_a rule_n of_o interpretation_n st._n peter_n word_n be_v these_o see_v then_o all_o these_o 13._o thing_n shall_v be_v dissolve_v what_o manner_n of_o person_n ought_v you_o to_o be_v in_o holy_a conversation_n and_o godliness_n look_v for_o and_o haste_v the_o come_n of_o the_o day_n of_o god_n wherein_o the_o heaven_n be_v on_o fire_n shall_v be_v dissolve_v and_o the_o element_n shall_v melt_v with_o fervent_a heat_n nevertheless_o we_o according_a to_o his_o promise_n look_v for_o new_a heaven_n and_o a_o new_a earth_n wherein_o righteousness_n shall_v dwell_v the_o question_n be_v concern_v this_o last_o verse_n whether_o the_o new_a heaven_n and_o earth_n here_o promise_v be_v to_o be_v real_a and_o material_a heaven_n and_o earth_n or_o only_o figurative_a and_o allegorical_a the_o word_n you_o see_v be_v clear_a and_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o interpretation_n be_v this_o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o recede_v from_o the_o letter_n or_o the_o literal_a sense_n unless_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n from_o the_o subject_a matter_n such_o a_o necessity_n as_o make_v a_o literal_a interpretation_n absurd_a but_o where_o be_v that_o necessity_n in_o this_o case_n can_v god_n make_v new_a heaven_n and_o a_o new_a earth_n as_o easy_o as_o he_o make_v the_o old_a one_o be_v his_o strength_n decay_v since_o that_o time_n or_o be_v matter_n grow_v more_o disobedient_a nay_o do_v not_o nature_n offer_v herself_o voluntary_o to_o raise_v a_o new_a world_n from_o the_o second_o chaos_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o first_o and_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o providence_n to_o make_v it_o as_o convenient_a a_o habitation_n as_o the_o primaeval_n earth_n therefore_o no_o necessity_n can_v be_v pretend_v of_o leave_v the_o literal_a sense_n upon_o a_o incapacity_n of_o the_o subject_a matter_n the_o second_o rule_n to_o determine_v a_o interpretation_n to_o be_v literal_a or_o allegorical_a be_v the_o use_n of_o the_o same_o word_n or_o phrase_n in_o the_o context_n and_o the_o signification_n of_o they_o there_o let_v we_o then_o examine_v our_o cafe_z according_a to_o this_o rule_n st._n peter_n have_v use_v the_o same_o phrase_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n twice_o before_o in_o the_o same_o chapter_n the_o old_a heaven_n and_o earth_n ver_fw-la 5._o the_o present_a heaven_n and_o earth_n ver_fw-la 7._o and_o now_o he_o use_v it_o again_o ver_fw-la 13._o the_o new_a heaven_n and_o earth_n have_v we_o not_o then_o reason_n to_o suppose_v that_o he_o take_v it_o here_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n that_o he_o have_v do_v twice_o before_o for_o real_a and_o material_a heaven_n and_o earth_n there_o be_v no_o mark_n set_v of_o a_o new_a signification_n nor_o why_o we_o shall_v alter_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n that_o he_o use_v they_o always_o before_o for_o the_o material_a heaven_n and_o earth_n i_o think_v none_o will_v question_v and_o therefore_o unless_o they_o can_v give_v we_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v change_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n we_o be_v bind_v by_o this_o second_o rule_n also_o to_o understand_v they_o in_o a_o literal_a sense_n last_o the_o very_a form_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o dependence_n upon_o the_o context_n lead_v we_o to_o a_o literal_a sense_n and_o to_o material_a heaven_n and_o earth_n nevertheless_o say_v the_o apostle_n we_o expect_v new_a heaven_n etc._n etc._n why_o nevertheless_o that_o be_v notwithstanding_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o present_a heaven_n and_o earth_n the_o apostle_n foresee_v what_o he_o have_v say_v may_v raise_v a_o doubt_n in_o their_o mind_n whether_o all_o thing_n will_v not_o be_v at_o a_o end_n nothing_o more_o of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n or_o of_o any_o habitable_a world_n after_o the_o conflagration_n and_o to_o obviate_v this_o he_o tell_v they_o notwithstanding_o that_o wonderful_a desolation_n that_o i_o have_v describe_v we_o do_v according_a to_o god_n promise_n expect_v new_a heaven_n and_o a_o new_a earth_n to_o be_v a_o habitation_n for_o the_o righteous_a you_o see_v then_o the_o new_a heaven_n and_o new_a earth_n which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o be_v substitute_v in_o the_o place_n of_o those_o that_o be_v destroy_v at_o the_o conflagration_n and_o will_v you_o substitute_v allegorical_a heaven_n and_o earth_n in_o the_o place_n of_o material_a a_o shadow_n for_o a_o substance_n what_o a_o equivocation_n will_v it_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n when_o the_o doubt_n be_v about_o the_o material_a heaven_n and_o earth_n to_o make_v a_o answer_n about_o allegorical_a last_o the_o time_a of_o the_o thing_n determine_v the_o sense_n when_o shall_v this_o new_a world_n appear_v after_o the_o conflagration_n the_o apostle_n say_v therefore_o it_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o any_o moral_a renovation_n to_o be_v make_v at_o or_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o these_o allegorist_n pretend_v we_o must_v therefore_o upon_o all_o account_n conclude_v that_o the_o apostle_n intend_v a_o literal_a sense_n real_a and_o material_a heaven_n to_o succeed_v these_o after_o the_o conflagration_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v and_o i_o know_v not_o what_o bar_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n can_v set_v to_o keep_v we_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o literal_a sense_n if_o these_o be_v not_o sufficient_a thus_o much_o for_o the_o explication_n of_o st._n peter_n doctrine_n concern_v the_o new_a heaven_n and_o new_a earth_n which_o secure_v the_o second_o part_n of_o our_o theory_n for_o the_o theory_n stand_v upon_o two_o pillar_n or_o two_o pedestal_n the_o ante-diluvian_a earth_n and_o the_o future_a earth_n or_o in_o s._n peter_n phrase_n the_o old_a heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o new_a heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o it_o can_v be_v