revising and preparing it for a second edition, it became necessary to dissolve and recast the whole, in order to bring it into immediate relation and contact with each of those several publications. In the progress of that operation, I found it expedient to develope more extensively many particular passages of my argument, and to subjoin to the work some dissertatory Notes; by which various modes of augmentation, notwithstanding the curtailment of several redundancies, the treatise has unavoidably grown from one into two volumes. I am very far from regretting this circumstance; it has enabled me to form a more secure judgment of the quality of the argument which I at first undertook to maintain, and it has rendered less intricate the course which I have now to pursue in order to demonstrate and establish its solidity. I have found no cause whatever, for mistrusting the line of reasoning which I employed in the first instance; and I am now to shew, that it is in no manner impaired by any thing which has been brought forward in any of those later works, but that, on the contrary, it derives the strongest and most effectual collateral support from all and each of them. This will be made thoroughly to appear, in the progress of the subject; either by extensions of the text, or by marginal notes, according as the particular occasion may be found to require. With respect to the Notes annexed to each volume, in the form of an Appendix :-To the First Volume are subjoined ; Note I. On the Mosaic Days of Creation. II. On the Jubilean Chronology of FRANK. 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 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 1 BRANDE, Outlines of Geology, pag. ult. 1817. 2 No. lxxvii. Oct. 1823, p. 198. 66 " has always my Reviewer in the British Critic, also, "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 endeavour to connect the discoveries of natural science in 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, νεφος 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 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. |