by means of final causes, every theory which pretends
to show the nature of that system, or to assign efficient causes to
physical events.

Here then we have a rule to try the propriety of every operation which
should be acknowledged as in the system of nature, or as belonging to
the theory of this earth. It is not necessary that we should see the
propriety of every natural operation; our natural ignorance precludes us
from any title to form a judgment in things of which we are not properly
informed; but, no suppositions of events, or explanations of natural
appearances, are to be admitted into our Theory, if the propriety of
those alledged operations is not made to appear. We are now to make an
application.

This earth, which is now dry land, was under water, and was formed in
the sea. Here is a matter of fact, and not of theory, so far as it can
be made as evident as any thing of which we have not seen the immediate
act or execution. But the propriety of this matter of fact is only to
be perceived in making the following acknowledgment, That the origin of
this earth is necessarily placed in the bottom of the sea. In supposing
any other origin to this habitable earth, we would see the impropriety
of having it covered with water, or drowned in the sea. But, being
formed originally at the bottom of the sea, if we can explain the
phenomena of this earth by natural causes, we will acknowledge the
wisdom of those means, by which the earth, thus formed at the bottom
of the sea, had been perfected in its nature, and made to fulfil the
purpose of its intention, by being placed in the atmosphere.

If the habitable earth does not take its origin in the waters of the
sea, the washing away of the matter of this earth into the sea would
put a period to the existence of that system which forms the admirable
constitution of this living world. But, if the origin of this earth is
founded in the sea, the matter which is washed from our land is only
proceeding in the order of the system; and thus no change would be made
in the general system of this world, although this particular earth,
which we possess at present, should in the course of nature disappear.

It has already been our business to show that the land is actually
wasted universally, and carried away into the sea. Now, What is the
final cause of this event?--Is it in order to destroy the system of this
living world, that the operations of nature are thus disposed upon the