It is obfervable, that the terms, in which the Greek philofophers fpeak of this happy ftate, generally are παλιγενεσια, and αποκαλαςασις ; the very fame that are made ufe of by our Saviour, and the apostle, in the paffages above-cited, concerning a regeneration, and refloration; and they are accordingly fo tranflated*. These are relative terms: what elfe therefore can they refer to, but to the first happy state of things? St. John adds a circumstance relating to the new earth, that in it there was no more feat. So we tranflate. The literal sense of this paffage may be thought inadmiffible; and generally, I believe, is fo thought: And accordingly the words are interpreted allegorically, as fignifying, that the fea being the emblem of trouble, difquiet, and inconftancy; by *Matt. xix. 28. Acts iii. 21. + Revel. xxi 1. Dr. Burnet hath endeavoured to accommodate this paffage in the literal fenfe to his fyftem. Moft others understand it figuratively. there there being no fea is meant, that the renovated world fhall not be fubject to the viciffitudes, commotions, and disorders, which this world is agitated and troubled with But there fhall, in this future bleffed state, be the utmost tranquillity, stability, and certainty of all things; both in the natural and moral world. But, admitting this fenfe, I do not fee, upon mature confideration, how the exclufion of the literal fenfe can be justified, as it is the foundation of the metaphorical sense; and as we cannot fay it implies a contradiction. Nor can we conclude, because the fea makes fo confiderable, and, as we may think, fo. neceffary a part of the world, which we now inhabit; therefore that it is impoffible for the great Creator to make a world without a fea. But there being no fea in the new earth, seems really to be no more than the natural, and almost neceffary confequence of the conflagration; during which, it is probable, the fire will rage to that degree, as in a great a great measure at least to confume its contrary element: Agreeably to the prophecies-That faith to the deep, Be dry. At my rebuke, I dry up the fea-And again, He rebuketh the fea, and maketh it dry*. As to the confequences of this notion, I do not fee why it may not be entertained, without making one's felf answerable for them; because, if there be fufficient grounds for an opinion, it is not neceffary to defend it through all its poffible confequences: And the ground upon which this opinion refts is the authority of feripture. But it is poffible the inhabitants of the new earth may not want the sea, nor any of its productions; any more than many, who live in inland countries, do at present, having all the neceffaries and conveniences of life within themselves; and feldom, if ever, being obliged to it for any thing. And this was more generally the cafe, in times of greater fimplicity, when people were content with the pro Ifai. xliv. 27-1 2. Nahum i. 4. duce duce of their own labour, on the spot which they cultivated; before the rise of commerce and navigation, the importers of fuperfluities and luxury. If it be faid, that in cafe there be no fea, there will be no rivers: That confequence doth not neceffarily follow, For it is poffible the new earth may be fo formed, as, like the primitive earth, to have no rain; as it most probably will have no mountains, and, like it, be watered by a mift arifing from the ground. These mists, being collected together, may form rivers, which this new earth will not be deftitute of. For in the defcription of it, we read of a pure river of water, the water of life, clear as cryftal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb*. These rivers, when they have run their course, may fink into fubterraneous receptacles; as we know fome rivers, in *Revel. xxii. 1. this, and other countries, do at present ; lofing themselves in the fame manner: And from thence they may rife in springs, and circulate through the earth. Or, without that fuppofition, the mifts. may become brooks; the brooks become rivers, and the rivers become a fea*. For after all, it is not certain from the text, that the new earth will be abfolutely and altogether without a fea; and ne ver to have any. The words in the original are. Και η θάλασσα ουκ εςιν έξι. Which may be rendered, There is no fea as yet: Or, The fea is not as yet. In the Alexandrian MS. the words are― Jaλαοσαν ουκ ιδον. Ιfaw no fea. At the time the vifion was vouchfafed, which was at the commencement of the new heavens, and new earth, there might be no fea to be feen; for, according to the other reading, there was none, as yet: But it doth not from thence neceffarily follow, Ecclus xxiv. 31. there |