In the Second Volume, I have preserved in their separate form, as a Supplement to Chap. VI. Part III., all those particular observations relative to Caves in limestone-formations, containing Fossil Animal Exuvia, which could not have been incorporated into that chapter without disproportionately enlarging it, and thereby encumbering the direct thread of the general argument. These observations are followed, by Note IV. On the numerous Revolutions of M. Cuvier. VI. On the Eastern Origination of Mankind. In quoting from M. Cuvier, wherever minuteness was required, I have translated the cited passages from the last edition of his work; where the argument was general, I have made use of the translation of Professor Jameson, in the edition published at New York by Professor Mitchill, in 1818. Having summarily stated these several particulars, respecting the present Edition; I shall now employ this Introduction, in examining certain general principles which have been propounded, and certain particular opinions which have been advanced, contrary to the principles which constitute the groundwork of the Comparative Estimate. 1. It is one of the wonders of REVELATION, that it discloses new, and as it were contingent evidences of its truth, at different succeeding periods, as Time advances in its course. The Revival of Learning, unfolded and multiplied new and irresistible moral evidences of that truth fifteen centuries after its first divulgation to the nations of Europe, among whom it was ordained to be planted; and, the progress of Scientific Research, especially in this our own extraordinary age, has unfolded and multiplied new and irresistible physical evidences of the same: so justly has it been remarked, that " the evidences of Religion "have advanced with the progress of true philosophy; "and that Science, while she raises a monument to her 66 1 self, at the same time erects an altar to the DEITY 1." Those successive apparent contingencies, are not accidental; they constitute reserved parts in the mysterious scheme of the great Dispensation which is now in actual and irresistible progress, and, by which, the Truth of that which God has been pleased to reveal to Man will be triumphantly upheld and continually increased in lustre, until the END shall arrive in order to which it was at first imparted. The science of GEOLOGY, the last of those reserved measures of light which have been opened upon us, has this remarkable character above all the preceding physical sciences; that, it not only conducts the intelligence, like them, to the discernment of the God of Nature, but advances it further, to a distinct recognition of that God of Nature in the God of Scripture. 2. The learned and able Edinburgh Reviewer of the Reliquia Diluviana, questions "the prudence of attempt 66 ing to connect the discoveries of natural science with the "sacred writings;" and he is "by no means certain, that "it would not be better to leave altogether untouched the connexion of Geology with the Sacred Narrative2: " and 66 1 BRANDE, Outlines of Geology, pag. ult. 1817. 2 No. lxxvii. Oct. 1823, p. 198. my Reviewer in the British Critic, also, " has always " doubted the expediency of connecting the speculations "of Science with the truths of Revealed Religion." This curious principle, here conveyed in the form of a doubt, is one of the most extraordinary doctrines that could have been proposed to the intelligence of the existing generation of Christians; it is, therefore, of the utmost importance that it should be stripped of its character of a doubt, and that it should be rigorously examined in its tangible character of a positive proposition. It will then stand thus:" it is imprudent and inexpedient to en"deavour to connect the discoveries of natural science in 66 Geology, with the statements of the Sacred Narrative "relative to the formation and changes of the Earth.” Now, besides the unreasonableness immediately manifest on the face of this proposition, provided we admit that Narrative to be authentic and sacred, and do not mistrust its communications; every clear-sighted intellect that will only take the pains to look steadily upon it, and to trace it to its inevitable issue, must perceive; that, if it be rendered absolute and universal, and without any consideration of what those discoveries in natural science may have brought to light, it may eventually terminate in this preposterous and absurd conclusion :-that “it is imprudent "and inexpedient to investigate the most direct and imme"diate proofs, that the God of Nature and the God of Scripture are One and the Same." To trace that unity and identity, is the sole object in seeking the connexion; and therefore, to inculcate, unconditionally, the imprudence and inexpediency of seeking it, is, in effect, to endeavour to frustrate or obstruct the most direct discernment of that unity and identity. 66 3. I am of course aware, that the backwardness from engaging in this pursuit, has, in many instances, proceeded from a fear that the connexion might not be found practicable; and from a further fear, of the consequence that might result from a demonstration of its impracticability; and, in the ages of defective physical knowledge which are past, such fear had a ground in reason, and might therefore claim a character of prudence. During those ages, therefore, faith found its firm ground in moral evidences only. But, that is no longer the case with us, at the present day. In corroboration of those moral evidences, a "cloud of physical witnesses"-vepos magrugwv, has recently and almost suddenly burst upon the world. In the unfolding plans of that Providence which watches over and directs the course of intellectual light within the pale of Revelation, we have now reached a term, which takes from that fear all its quality of prudence; and leaves it no other than that which simple "fear" has long since been defined to be—" a betraying of the succours which 66 μαρτυρων, reason offers1." Those new succours, totally alter the quality of that fear. In truth, Physical Science has not worked more effectually to any other end, than it has been caused to work effectually, though unconsciously and unintentionally, for the discovery and manifestation of those connecting evidences which shew the God of Nature and the God of Scripture to be One and the Same; and, the age in which we are living, is that which has brought this progressively increasing light to its broad day, nay, to the point of its meridian. As, therefore, the qualities of all actions vary with their circumstances, so also does 1 Wisdom, xvii. 12. 4 the prudence of abstaining from seeking a connexion between Geology and the Sacred Narrative; and, the reason which before rendered the abstinence prudent, having ceased, and being succeeded by an imperious reason for pursuing the research, the prosecution of it is no longer either imprudent or inexpedient. 4. Of the person of the God of Nature, we know nothing but from the God of Scripture; and, the God of Scripture has been careful to impress upon our minds, that He is also the God of Nature; to pursue the evidence of that identity, is therefore only to follow the direction of that impression. If the God of Scripture has declared certain primeval events and operations to have taken place in this Globe, to which the God of Nature only could have been privy, and, if those events and operations are now at length discovered to be unequivocally attested by physical monuments universally existent and incorporated in the globe; then, the God of Scripture and the God of Nature are seen to be One and the Same. I ask no leave of the Philosophers or Eczetics, of whatever description, to draw this positive conclusion; the conclusion, is an item of eternal and immutable Truth, and the argument is anterior, in reason, to all the inventive speculations of a Mineral Geology. 5. Now, if that God of Scripture and of Nature has been pleased to impart to us a communication of any historical facts concerning the Globe which He created, relating either to its formation, ordination, or alteration ;— if He has specifically informed us, that, when He first created it, He caused its universal surface to be covered by the mass of the ocean; that, by an immediate operation, He caused all that ocean to be drawn down, reduced, and b VOL. I. |