and Empires; and the great confusions that will be
amongst the People and Princes of the Earth towards
the end of the World. So that darkning of the Sun,
shaking of the Earth, and such like phrases of Scripture,
according to these Interpreters, are to be understood
onely in a moral sence.
And they think they have a warrant for this interpretation from the Prophetick style of the old Testament, where the destruction of Cities, and Empires,
and great Princes, is often describ'd by such figures,
taken from the Natural World. So much is true indeed as to the phrase of the old Prophets in some
places; but I take the true reason and design of that,
to be a typical adumbration of what was intended
should literally come to pass in the great and universal destruction of the World; whereof these partial
destructions were onely shadows and prefigurations.
But to determine this case, Let us take the known and
approved rule for interpreting Scripture, Not to recede
from the literal sence without necessity, or where the nature of the subject will admit of a literal interpretation.
Now as to those cases in the old Testament, history
and matter of fact do show that they did not come to
pass literally, therefore must not be so understood;
But as for those that concern the end of the World,
as they cannot be determin'd in that way, seeing they
are yet future; So neither is there any Natural repugnancy or improbability that they should come literally to pass: On the contrary, from the intuition
of that state of Nature, one would rather conclude
the probability or necessity of them; That there may
and must be such disorders in the external World before the general dissolution. Besides, if we admit Prodigies in any case, or Providential indications of God's
judgments to come, there can be no case suppos'd,
wherein it will be more reasonable or proper to admit them, than when they are to be the Messengers
of an Universal vengeance and destruction.
Let us therefore consider what signs Scripture hath
taken notice of, as destin'd to appear at that time, to
publish, as it were, and proclaim the approaching end
of the World; And how far they will admit of a na
