needful to preferve the material Syflem. 227 
Wifdom fpeaking, fays,—veríe 27. ** When God prepared 
the heavens [the whole fyftem of vifible nature] I was prefent. 
When (with refpe& to the heaven) he fet an orb around the 
fuperficies of the depth [the immenfe fpace included within 
the orb : in reference to which, that fpace may be juftly called 
the depth]: v. 28. When he gave folidity and ftrength to 
(that orb) the fky above ; and when he eftablifhed its foun- 
tains of waters [its interior and exterior atmofphers] :. v. 29. 
When (with refpe& to the terraqueous globe) he gave to the 
fea his decree, that its waters (hould not pafs their bounds : 
and when he appointed the foundations of the earth, then I was 
by him." 
If this tranflation and illuftratien, be juft, the text, which 
only gives the great out-lines, or capital parts of creation, 
ftrongly impreffes the idea, that there is an orb furrounding all 
‘vifible nature ; that it is ftrong and folid ; and that it is fur- 
nifhed with an interior and exterior atmofphere : all which is 
further defcriptive of one of the ftories, that God built in the 
heavens. 
In fupport of the tranflation and illuftration here given, I 
had collected, in a marginal note, a number of authorities from 
Pools Synopfis : but it being fomewhat long, and thofe who 
are qualified to judge in the matter, being able to recur to the 
Synopfis, it is omitted. 
Befide thofe authorities, and in further fupport of the tranf- 
lation, may be adduced the 148th plm: where are enumera- 
sted, in a regular fucceflion, the heavenly bodies, which. com- 
;pofe the material fyftem :—the fun, moon, ftars, heavens, aud 
"waters above the heavens. me 
E: he 
