CHAP. IX
How the Sea will be diminish'd and consum'd. How
the Rocks and Mountains will be thrown down
and melted, and the whole exteriour frame of
the Earth dissolv'd into a Deluge of Fire.
WE have now taken a view of the Causes of
the Conflagration, both ordinary and extraordinary: It remains to consider the manner of it;
How these Causes will operate, and bring to pass an
effect so great and so prodigious. We took notice
before that the grand obstruction would be from the
Sea, and from the Mountains; we must therefore
take these to task in the first place; and if we can
remove them out of our way, or overcome what resistance and opposition they are capable to make, the
rest of the work will not be uneasie to us.
The Ocean indeed is a vast Body of Waters; and
we must use all our art and skill to dry it up, or consume it in a good measure, before we can compass
our design. I remember the advice a Philosopher
gave Amasis King of Egypt, when he had a command
sent him from the King of Æthiopia, That he should
drink up the Sea. Amasis being very anxious and sollicitous what answer he should make to this strange
command, the Philosopher Bias advis'd him to make
this round answer to the King; That he was ready to
perform his command and to drink up the Sea, provided
he would stop the rivers from flowing into his cup while
he was drinking. This answer baffled the King, for
he could not stop the rivers; but this we must do,
or we shall never be able to drink up the Sea, or
burn up the Earth.
Neither will this be so impossible as it seems at
first sight, if we reflect upon those preparations we
have made towards it, by a general drought all over
the Earth. This we suppose will precede the Con
