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
earth_n be_v say_v to_o be_v stretch_v over_o the_o water_n or_o because_o there_o be_v water_n in_o some_o subterraneous_a cavity_n be_v the_o earth_n therefore_o found_v upon_o the_o sea_n yet_o such_o lame_a explication_n as_o these_o you_o will_v meet_v with_o and_o while_o we_o have_v no_o better_a light_n we_o must_v content_v ourselves_o with_o they_o but_o when_o a_o explication_n be_v offer_v that_o answer_v the_o propriety_n force_n and_o extent_n of_o the_o word_n to_o reject_v it_o only_o because_o it_o be_v not_o fit_v to_o our_o former_a opinion_n or_o because_o we_o do_v not_o first_o think_v of_o it_o be_v to_o take_v a_o ill_a method_n in_o expound_v scripture_n this_o foundation_n or_o establishment_n of_o the_o earth_n upon_o the_o sea_n this_o extension_n of_o it_o above_o the_o water_n relate_v plain_o to_o the_o body_n or_o whole_a circuit_n of_o the_o earth_n not_o to_o parcel_n and_o particle_n of_o it_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o occasion_n and_o its_o be_v join_v with_o the_o heaven_n the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o david_n be_v speak_v of_o the_o origin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o wisdom_n in_o the_o construction_n and_o situation_n of_o our_o earth_n and_o these_o attribute_n do_v not_o appear_v from_o the_o hole_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o break_a rock_n which_o have_v rather_o the_o face_n of_o a_o ruin_n than_o of_o wisdom_n but_o in_o that_o wonderful_a libration_n and_o expansion_n of_o the_o first_o earth_n over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o water_n sustain_v by_o its_o own_o proportion_n and_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o providence_n these_o two_o place_n in_o the_o psalm_n be_v due_o consider_v we_o shall_v more_o easy_o understand_v a_o three_o place_n to_o the_o same_o effect_n in_o the_o proverb_n deliver_v by_o wisdom_n concern_v the_o origin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o form_n of_o the_o first_o earth_n in_o these_o word_n chap._n 8._o 27._o when_o he_o prepare_v the_o heaven_n i_o be_v there_o when_o he_o set_v a_o orb_n or_o sphere_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o abyss_n we_o render_v it_o when_o we_o set_v a_o compass_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o abyss_n but_o if_o we_o have_v right_o interpret_v the_o prophet_n david_n it_o be_v plain_a enough_o what_o compass_n be_v here_o to_o be_v understand_v not_o a_o imaginary_a circle_n for_o why_o shall_v that_o be_v think_v one_o of_o the_o wonderful_a work_n of_o god_n but_o that_o exterior_a orb_n of_o the_o earth_n that_o be_v set_v upon_o the_o water_n that_o be_v the_o masterpiece_n of_o the_o divine_a art_n in_o frame_v of_o the_o first_o earth_n and_o therefore_o very_o fit_a to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o wisdom_n and_o upon_o this_o occasion_n i_o desire_v you_o to_o reflect_v upon_o st._n peter_n expression_n concern_v the_o first_o earth_n and_o to_o compare_v it_o with_o solomon_n to_o see_v if_o they_o do_v not_o answer_v one_o another_o st._n peter_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o earth_n consist_v stand_v or_o sustain_v by_o the_o water_n and_o solomon_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o orb_n draw_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o abyss_n and_o st._n peter_n say_v that_o be_v do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o same_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o wisdom_n that_o here_o declare_v herself_o to_o have_v be_v present_a at_o this_o work_n add_v now_o to_o these_o two_o place_n the_o two_o foremention_v out_o of_o the_o psalmist_n a_o earth_n found_v upon_o the_o sea_n psal._n 24._o 2._o and_o a_o earth_n stretch_v out_o above_o the_o water_n psal._n 136._o 6._o can_v any_o body_n doubt_n or_o question_n but_o all_o these_o four_o text_n refer_v to_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o see_v st._n peter_n description_n refer_v certain_o to_o the_o ante-diluvian_a earth_n they_o must_v all_o refer_v to_o it_o and_o do_v all_o as_o certain_o and_o evident_o agree_v with_o our_o theory_n concern_v the_o form_n and_o situation_n of_o it_o the_o pendulous_a form_n and_o posture_n of_o that_o first_o earth_n be_v prove_v from_o these_o four_o place_n it_o be_v more_o easy_a and_o emphatical_a to_o interpret_v in_o this_o sense_n that_o passage_n in_o job_n ch_n 26._o 7._o he_o stretch_v out_o the_o north_n over_o the_o tohu_n for_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o original_n and_o hang_v the_o earth_n upon_o nothing_o and_o this_o strange_a foundation_n or_o no_o foundation_n of_o the_o exterior_a earth_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o those_o noble_a question_n propose_v to_o job_n by_o god_n almighty_a ch_n 38._o where_o be_v thou_o when_o i_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o earth_n declare_v if_o thou_o have_v understanding_n whereupon_o be_v the_o foundation_n thereof_o fasten_v and_o who_o lay_v the_o corner_n stone_n there_o be_v neither_o foundation_n nor_o corner_n stone_n in_o that_o piece_n of_o architecture_n and_o that_o be_v it_o which_o make_v the_o art_n and_o wonder_n of_o it_o but_o i_o have_v speak_v more_o large_o to_o these_o place_n in_o the_o theory_n itself_o and_o if_o the_o four_o 88_o text_n beforementioned_a be_v consider_v without_o prejudice_n i_o think_v there_o be_v few_o matter_n of_o natural_a speculation_n that_o can_v be_v so_o well_o prove_v out_o of_o scripture_n as_o the_o form_n which_o we_o have_v give_v to_o the_o ante-diluvian_a earth_n but_o yet_o it_o may_v be_v think_v a_o just_a if_o not_o a_o necessary_a appendix_n to_o this_o discourse_n concern_v the_o form_n of_o the_o ante-diluvian_a earth_n to_o give_v a_o account_n also_o of_o the_o ante-diluvian_a abyss_n and_o the_o situation_n of_o it_o according_a to_o scripture_n for_o the_o relation_n which_o these_o two_o have_v to_o one_o another_o will_v be_v a_o further_a mean_n to_o discover_v if_o we_o have_v right_o determine_v the_o form_n of_o that_o earth_n the_o abyss_n or_o tehom-rabbah_a be_v a_o scripture_n notion_n and_o the_o word_n be_v not_o use_v that_o i_o know_v of_o in_o that_o distinct_a and_o peculiar_a sense_n in_o heathen_a author_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o in_o scripture_n it_o be_v not_o always_o take_v for_o the_o sea_n as_o gen._n 1._o 2._o &_o 7._o 11._o &_o 49._o 25._o deut._n 33._o 13._o job_n 28._o 14._o &_o 38._o 16._o ps._n 33._o 7._o &_o 71._o 20._o &_o 78._o 15._o &_o 135._o 6._o apoc._n 20._o 1._o 3._o but_o for_o some_o other_o mass_n of_o water_n or_o subterraneous_a storehouse_n and_o this_o be_v observe_v we_o may_v easy_o discover_v the_o nature_n and_o set_v down_o the_o history_n of_o the_o scripture-abyss_n the_o mother-abyss_n be_v no_o doubt_n that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o genesis_n ver_fw-la 2._o which_o have_v nothing_o but_o darkness_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o it_o or_o a_o thick_a caliginous_a air_n the_o next_o news_n we_o hear_v of_o this_o abyss_n be_v at_o the_o deluge_n gen._n 7.11_o where_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v break_v open_a and_o the_o water_n of_o it_o to_o have_v drown_v the_o world_n it_o seem_v then_o this_o abyss_n be_v close_v up_o some_o time_n betwixt_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o deluge_n and_o have_v get_v another_o cover_n than_o that_o of_o darkness_n and_o if_o we_o will_v believe_v wisdom_n prov._n 8._o 27._o who_o be_v there_o present_a at_o the_o formation_n of_o the_o earth_n a_o orb_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o abyss_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n that_o these_o three_o place_n refer_v to_o the_o same_o abyss_n i_o think_v can_v be_v question_v by_o any_o that_o will_v compare_v they_o and_o consider_v they_o that_o of_o the_o deluge_n moses_n call_v there_o tehom-rabbah_a the_o great_a abyss_n and_o can_v there_o be_v any_o great_a than_o the_o forementioned_a mother-abuss_a and_o wisdom_n in_o that_o place_n in_o the_o proverb_n use_v the_o same_o phrase_n and_o word_n with_o moses_n gen._n 1._o 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o deep_a or_o of_o the_o abyss_n change_v darkness_n for_o that_o orb_n of_o the_o exterior_a earth_n which_o be_v make_v afterward_o to_o enclose_v it_o and_o in_o this_o vault_n it_o lay_v and_o under_o this_o cover_n when_o the_o psalmist_n speak_v of_o it_o in_o these_o word_n ps._n 33._o 7._o he_o gather_v the_o water_n of_o the_o sea_n as_o in_o a_o sense_n bag_n he_o lay_v up_o the_o abyss_n in_o storehouse_n last_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o it_o be_v this_o mother-abyss_n who_o womb_n be_v burst_v at_o the_o deluge_n when_o the_o sea_n be_v bear_v and_o break_v forth_o as_o if_o it_o have_v issue_v out_o of_o a_o womb_n as_o god_n express_v it_o to_o job_n ch_n 38._o 8._o in_o which_o place_n the_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n read_v it_o when_o it_o break_v forth_o
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