of_o the_o world_n or_o the_o golden_a age_n as_o they_o call_v it_o namely_o equality_n of_o season_n throughout_o the_o year_n or_o a_o perpetual_a equinox_n we_o have_v also_o take_v in_o all_o the_o adjunct_n or_o concomitant_n of_o these_o state_n as_o they_o be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n the_o longevity_n of_o the_o antediluvians_a and_o the_o declension_n of_o their_o age_n by_o degree_n after_o the_o flood_n as_o also_o that_o wonderful_a phaenomenon_n the_o rainbow_n which_o appear_v to_o noah_n for_o a_o sign_n that_o the_o earth_n shall_v never_o undergo_v a_o second_o deluge_n and_o we_o have_v 5._o show_v wherein_o the_o force_n and_o propriety_n of_o that_o sign_n consist_v for_o confirm_v noah_n faith_n in_o the_o promise_n and_o in_o the_o divine_a veracity_n thus_o far_o we_o have_v explain_v the_o past_a phaenomena_n of_o the_o natural_a world_n the_o rest_n be_v futurity_n which_o still_o lie_v hide_v in_o their_o cause_n and_o we_o can_v proper_o prove_v a_o theory_n from_o effect_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o in_o be_v but_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v foretell_v in_o scripture_n both_o as_o to_o substance_n and_o circumstance_n in_o prosecution_n of_o the_o same_o principle_n we_o have_v antedate_v their_o birth_n and_o show_v how_o they_o will_v come_v to_o pass_v we_o may_v therefore_o i_o think_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o this_o theory_n have_v perform_v its_o task_n and_o answer_v its_o title_n have_v give_v a_o account_n of_o all_o the_o general_a change_n of_o the_o natural_a world_n as_o far_o as_o either_o sacred_a history_n look_v backward_o or_o sacred_a prophecy_n look_v forward_o so_o far_o as_o the_o one_o tell_v we_o what_o be_v pass_v in_o nature_n and_o the_o other_o what_o be_v to_o come_v and_o if_o all_o this_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o appearance_n of_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o kind_a of_o fatality_n upon_o we_o to_o be_v deceive_v so_o much_o for_o natural_a evidence_n from_o the_o cause_n or_o effect_n we_o now_o proceed_v to_o scripture_n which_o will_v make_v the_o great_a part_n of_o this_o review_n the_o sacred_a basis_n upon_o which_o the_o whole_a theory_n stand_v be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o s._n peter_n deliver_v in_o his_o second_o epistle_n and_o three_o chapter_n concern_v the_o triple_a order_n and_o succession_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n that_o comprehend_v the_o whole_a extent_n of_o our_o theory_n which_o indeed_o be_v but_o a_o large_a commentary_n upon_o s._n peter_n text._n the_o apostle_n set_v out_o a_o threefold_a state_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n with_o some_o general_a property_n of_o each_o take_v from_o their_o different_a constitution_n and_o different_a fate_n the_o theory_n take_v the_o same_o threefold_a state_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n and_o explain_v more_o particular_o wherein_o their_o different_a constitution_n consist_v and_o how_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o providence_n their_o different_a fate_n depend_v upon_o it_o let_v we_o set_v down_o the_o apostle_n word_n with_o the_o occasion_n of_o they_o and_o their_o plain_a sense_n according_a to_o the_o most_o easy_a and_o natural_a explication_n ver._n 3._o know_v this_o first_o that_o there_o shall_v come_v in_o the_o 3._o last_o day_n scoffer_n walk_v after_o their_o own_o lust_n 4._o and_o say_v where_o be_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o come_n for_o since_o the_o father_n fall_v asleep_a all_o thing_n continue_v as_o they_o be_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o creation_n 5._o for_o this_o they_o willing_o be_v ignorant_a of_o that_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o heaven_n be_v of_o old_a and_o the_o earth_n consist_v of_o water_n and_o by_o water_n 6._o whereby_o the_o world_n that_o then_o be_v be_v over_o flow_v with_o water_n perish_v 7._o but_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n that_o be_v now_o by_o the_o same_o word_n be_v keep_v in_o store_n reserve_v unto_o fire_n against_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o perdition_n of_o ungodly_a man_n 10._o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n will_v come_v as_o a_o thief_n in_o the_o night_n in_o the_o which_o the_o heaven_n shall_v pass_v away_o with_o a_o great_a noise_n and_o the_o element_n shall_v melt_v with_o fervent_a heat_n the_o earth_n also_o and_o the_o work_n that_o be_v therein_o shall_v be_v burn_v up_o 13._o 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 dwell_v righteousness_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a discourse_n so_o far_o as_o relate_v to_o our_o subject_n s._n peter_n you_o see_v have_v meet_v with_o some_o that_o scoff_v at_o the_o future_a destruction_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o they_o be_v man_n it_o seem_v that_o pretend_v to_o philosophy_n and_o argument_n and_o they_o use_v this_o argument_n for_o their_o opinion_n see_v there_o have_v be_v no_o change_n in_o nature_n or_o in_o the_o world_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o this_o time_n why_o shall_v we_o think_v there_o will_v be_v any_o change_n for_o the_o future_a the_o apostle_n answer_v to_o this_o that_o they_o willing_o forget_v or_o be_v ignorant_a that_o there_o be_v heaven_n of_o old_a and_o a_o earth_n so_o and_o so_o constitute_v consist_v of_o water_n and_o by_o water_n by_o reason_n whereof_o that_o world_n or_o those_o heaven_n and_o that_o earth_n perish_v in_o a_o deluge_n of_o water_n but_o say_v he_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n that_o be_v now_o be_v of_o another_o constitution_n fit_v and_o reserve_v to_o another_o fate_n namely_o to_o perish_v by_o fire_n and_o after_o these_o be_v perish_v there_o will_v be_v new_a heaven_n and_o a_o new_a earth_n according_a to_o god_n promise_n this_o be_v a_o easy_a paraphrase_n and_o the_o plain_a and_o genuine_a sense_n of_o the_o apostle_n discourse_n and_o no_o body_n i_o think_v will_v ever_o look_v after_o any_o other_o sense_n if_o this_o do_v not_o draw_v they_o into_o path_n they_o do_v not_o know_v and_o to_o conclusion_n which_o they_o do_v not_o fancy_v this_o sense_n you_o see_v hit_v the_o objection_n direct_o or_o the_o cavil_v which_o these_o scoffer_n make_v and_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o vain_o pretend_v that_o there_o have_v be_v no_o change_n in_o the_o world_n since_o the_o beginning_n for_o there_o be_v one_o sort_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n before_o the_o flood_n and_o another_o sort_n now_o the_o first_o have_v be_v destroy_v at_o the_o deluge_n so_o that_o the_o apostle_n argument_n stand_v upon_o this_o foundation_n that_o there_o be_v a_o diversity_n betwixt_o the_o present_a heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o ante-diluvian_a heaven_n and_o earth_n take_v away_o that_o and_o you_o take_v away_o all_o the_o force_n of_o his_o answer_n then_o as_o to_o his_o new_a heaven_n and_o new_a earth_n after_o the_o conflagration_n they_o must_v be_v material_a and_o natural_a in_o the_o same_o sense_n and_o signification_n with_o the_o former_a heaven_n and_o earth_n unless_o you_o will_v offer_v open_a violence_n to_o the_o text._n so_o that_o this_o triplicity_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n be_v the_o first_o obvious_a plain_a sense_n of_o the_o apostle_n discourse_n which_o every_o one_o will_v ready_o accept_v if_o it_o do_v not_o draw_v after_o it_o a_o long_a train_n of_o consequence_n and_o lead_v they_o into_o other_o world_n than_o they_o ever_o think_v of_o before_o or_o be_v willing_a to_o enter_v upon_o now_o but_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n by_o and_o by_o to_o examine_v this_o text_n more_o full_o in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n give_v i_o leave_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o observe_v that_o s._n paul_n also_o imply_v that_o triple_a creation_n which_o s._n peter_n express_v s._n paul_n i_o say_v in_o the_o 8_o chap._n to_o the_o romver_n 20_o 21._o tell_v we_o of_o a_o creation_n that_o will_v be_v redeem_v from_o vanity_n which_o be_v the_o new_a heaven_n and_o new_a earth_n to_o come_v a_o creation_n in_o subjection_n to_o vanity_n which_o be_v the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o world_n and_o a_o creation_n that_o be_v subject_v to_o vanity_n in_o hope_n of_o be_v restore_v which_o be_v the_o first_o paradisiacal_a creation_n and_o these_o be_v the_o three_o state_n of_o the_o natural_a world_n which_o make_v the_o subject_n of_o our_o theory_n to_o these_o two_o place_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n i_o may_v add_v that_o three_o in_o st._n john_n concern_v the_o new_a heaven_n and_o new_a earth_n with_o that_o distinguish_a character_n that_o the_o earth_n be_v without_o a_o sea_n as_o this_o distinguish_v it_o from_o the_o present_a earth_n so_o be_v a_o restitution_n or_o restauration_n as_o we_o note_v before_o it_o must_v be_v the_o same_o with_o some_o former_a earth_n and_o consequent_o it_o imply_v that_o there_o be_v another_o precedent_a
cite_v other_o place_n out_o of_o job_n and_o as_o that_o ancient_a author_n who_o be_v think_v to_o have_v live_v before_o the_o judaical_a oeconomy_n and_o near_o to_o noah_n than_o moses_n seem_v to_o have_v have_v the_o praecepta_fw-la noachidarum_fw-la so_o also_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v have_v the_o dogmata_fw-la noachidarum_fw-la which_o be_v deliver_v by_o noah_n to_o his_o child_n and_o posterity_n concern_v the_o mystery_n of_o natural_a providence_n the_o origine_fw-la and_o fate_n of_o the_o world_n the_o deluge_n and_o ante-diluvian_a state_n etc._n etc._n and_o according_o we_o find_v many_o stricture_n of_o these_o doctrine_n in_o the_o book_n of_o job_n last_o in_o the_o psalm_n there_o be_v text_n that_o mention_v the_o shake_v of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o flood_n if_o we_o judge_v aright_o whereof_o we_o will_v speak_v under_o the_o next_o head_n concern_v the_o rage_a of_o the_o water_n in_o the_o deluge_n these_o place_n of_o scripture_n may_v be_v note_v as_o lest_o we_o to_o be_v remembrancer_n of_o that_o general_a ruin_n and_o disruption_n of_o the_o earth_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o deluge_n but_o i_o know_v it_o will_v be_v say_v of_o they_o that_o they_o be_v not_o strict_a proof_n but_o allusion_n only_o be_v it_o so_o yet_o what_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o those_o allusion_n something_o must_v be_v allude_v to_o and_o something_o that_o have_v pass_v in_o nature_n and_o that_o be_v record_v in_o sacred_a history_n and_o what_o be_v that_o unless_o it_o be_v the_o universal_a deluge_n and_o that_o change_n and_o disturbance_n that_o be_v then_o in_o all_o nature_n if_o other_o say_v that_o these_o and_o such_o like_a place_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v moral_o and_o allegorical_o i_o do_v not_o envy_v they_o their_o interpretation_n but_o when_o nature_n and_o reason_n will_v bear_v a_o literal_a sense_n the_o rule_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v not_o recede_v from_o the_o letter_n but_o i_o leave_v these_o thing_n to_o every_o one_o thought_n which_o the_o more_o calm_a they_o be_v and_o the_o more_o impartial_a the_o more_o easy_o they_o will_v feel_v the_o impression_n of_o truth_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o last_o particular_a mention_v the_o form_n of_o the_o deluge_n itself_o this_o we_o suppose_v to_o have_v be_v not_o in_o the_o way_n of_o a_o stand_a pool_n the_o water_n make_v a_o equal_a surface_n and_o a_o equal_a height_n every_o where_o but_o that_o the_o extreme_a height_n of_o the_o water_n be_v make_v by_o the_o extreme_a agitation_n of_o they_o cause_v by_o the_o weight_n and_o force_n of_o great_a mass_n or_o region_n of_o earth_n fall_v at_o once_o into_o the_o abyss_n by_o which_o mean_n as_o the_o water_n in_o some_o place_n be_v press_v out_o and_o throw_v at_o a_o excessive_a height_n into_o the_o air_n so_o they_o will_v also_o in_o certain_a place_n gape_v and_o lay_v bare_a even_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o abyss_n which_o will_v look_v as_o a_o open_a grave_a ready_a to_o swallow_v up_o the_o earth_n and_o all_o it_o bear_v whilst_o the_o ark_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n fall_v and_o rise_v by_o these_o gulf_n and_o precipice_n sometime_o above_o water_n and_o sometime_o under_o be_v a_o true_a type_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o world_n and_o to_o this_o time_n and_o state_n david_n allude_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n psal._n 42._o 7._o abyss_n call_v unto_o abyss_n at_o the_o noise_n of_o thy_o cataract_n or_o water-spout_n all_o thy_o wave_n and_o billow_n have_v go_v over_o i_o and_o again_o psal._n 46._o 2_o 3._o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o will_v not_o we_o fear_v though_o the_o earth_n be_v remove_v and_o though_o the_o mountain_n be_v carry_v into_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o sea_n the_o water_n thereof_o roar_v and_o be_v trouble_v the_o mountain_n shake_v with_o the_o swell_a thereof_o but_o there_o be_v no_o description_n more_o remarkable_a or_o more_o eloquent_a than_o of_o that_o scene_n of_o thing_n represent_v psal._n 18._o 7_o 8_o 9_o etc._n etc._n which_o still_o allude_v in_o my_o opinion_n to_o the_o deluge-scene_n and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n we_o will_v ser_fw-mi down_o the_o word_n at_o large_a ver._n 6._o in_o my_o distress_n i_o call_v upon_o the_o lord_n and_o cry_v unto_o my_o god_n he_o hear_v my_o voice_n out_o of_o his_o temple_n and_o my_o cry_n come_v before_o he_o into_o his_o ear_n 7._o then_o the_o earth_n sbook_n and_o tremble_v the_o foundation_n also_o of_o the_o hill_n move_v and_o be_v shake_v because_o he_o be_v wroth_a 8._o there_o go_v up_o a_o smoke_n from_o his_o nostril_n and_o sire_n out_o of_o his_o mouth_n devour_v coal_n be_v kindle_v by_o it_o 9_o he_o bow_v the_o heaven_n also_o and_o come_v down_o and_o darkness_n be_v under_o his_o foot_n 10._o and_o he_o ride_v upon_o a_o cherub_n and_o do_v fly_v he_o do_v fly_v upon_o the_o wing_n of_o the_o wind_n 11._o he_o make_v darkness_n his_o secret_a place_n his_o pavilion_n round_o about_o he_o be_v dark_a water_n and_o thick_a cloud_n of_o the_o sky_n 12._o at_o the_o brightness_n before_o he_o the_o thick_a cloud_n pass_v bail_n and_o coal_n of_o fire_n 13._o the_o lord_n also_o thunder_v in_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o high_a give_v his_o voice_n hail_n and_o coal_n of_o fire_n 14._o yea_o he_o send_v out_o his_o arrow_n and_o scatter_v they_o and_o he_o shoot_v out_o lightning_n and_o discomfit_v they_o 15._o then_o the_o channel_n of_o water_n be_v see_v and_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v discover_v at_o thy_o rebuke_n o_o lord_n at_o the_o blast_n of_o the_o breath_n of_o thy_o nostril_n he_o send_v from_o above_o he_o take_v i_o he_o draw_v i_o out_o of_o 〈◊〉_d great_a water_n this_o i_o think_v be_v a_o rough_a *_o draught_n of_o the_o face_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n at_o the_o deluge_n as_o the_o last_o verse_n do_v intimate_v and_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o express_v the_o danger_n and_o deliverance_n of_o the_o church_n the_o expression_n be_v far_o too_o high_a to_o be_v apply_v to_o david_n in_o his_o person_n and_o to_o his_o deliverance_n from_o saul_n no_o such_o agony_n or_o disorder_n of_o nature_n as_o be_v here_o instanced_a iâ—_n be_v make_v in_o david_n time_n or_o upon_o his_o account_n but_o it_o be_v a_o scheme_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o her_o fate_n particular_o as_o represent_v by_o the_o ark_n in_o that_o dismal_a distress_n when_o all_o nature_n be_v in_o confusion_n and_o though_o there_o may_v be_v some_o thing_n here_o intermix_v to_o make_v up_o the_o scene_n that_o be_v not_o so_o close_o to_o the_o subject_n as_o the_o rest_n or_o that_o may_v be_v refer_v to_o the_o future_a destruction_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o that_o be_v not_o unusual_a nor_o amiss_o in_o such_o description_n if_o the_o great_a stroke_n be_v fit_a and_o right_o place_v that_o there_o be_v smoke_n and_o fire_n and_o water_n and_o thunder_n and_o darkness_n and_o wind_n and_o earthquake_n at_o the_o deluge_n we_o can_v doubt_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o water_n dash_v and_o break_v make_v a_o smoke_n and_o darkness_n and_o no_o hurricane_n can_v be_v so_o violent_a as_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o air_n at_o that_o time_n then_o the_o earth_n be_v tear_v in_o piece_n and_o its_o foundation_n shake_v and_o as_o to_o thunder_n and_o lightning_n the_o encounter_n and_o collision_n of_o the_o mighty_a wave_n and_o the_o crack_n of_o a_o fall_a world_n will_v make_v flash_n and_o noise_n far_o great_a and_o more_o terrible_a than_o any_o that_o can_v come_v from_o vapour_n and_o cloud_n there_o be_v a_o universal_a tempest_n a_o 279._o conflict_n and_o clash_n of_o all_o the_o element_n and_o david_n seem_v to_o have_v represent_v it_o so_o with_o god_n almighty_a in_o the_o midst_n of_o it_o rule_v they_o all_o but_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v some_o will_v say_v all_o this_o be_v poetical_a in_o the_o prophet_n and_o these_o be_v hyperbolical_a and_o figurate_a expression_n from_o which_o we_o can_v make_v any_o inference_n as_o to_o the_o deluge_n and_o the_o natural_a world_n it_o be_v true_a those_o that_o have_v no_o idea_n of_o the_o deluge_n that_o will_v answer_v to_o such_o a_o scene_n of_o thing_n as_o be_v here_o represent_v must_v give_v such_o a_o slight_a account_n of_o this_o psalm_n but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n if_o we_o have_v already_o a_o idea_n of_o the_o deluge_n that_o be_v rational_a and_o also_o consonant_a to_o scripture_n upon_o other_o proof_n and_o the_o description_n here_o make_v by_o the_o prophet_n answer_v to_o that_o idea_n whether_o then_o be_v
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