476 Rough Notes on the controversy against Geologists. 



Scripture astronomers of that day, men as learned, according 

 to the learning of the times, and as wise in many respects as 

 the most of those of the present, that such ideas were fully 

 refuted by such texts as are mentioned below,* that it implied 

 infidelity of the Scriptures, and was a damnable heresy, and 

 that Galileo, who maintained it, was most leniently dealt 

 with in being imprisoned only, instead of being burnt alive. 

 No one of the present day, however devoted to Scripture 

 views of philosophy, ever dreams of questioning such mathe- 

 matically demonstrated truths ; and a good reason is given 

 for belief in them, even though seemingly they are contrary 

 to such texts as have been quoted ; viz., that the Scriptures 

 are not intended to teach us astronomy, but merely speak 

 in these passages according to appearances to the senses. 

 The days are not far distant, and it requires no gift of 

 prophecy to forsee it, when an answer similar in import must 

 be given in regard to the passages supposed, though sup- 

 posed merely, to contradict the equally certain, and almost 

 equally demonstrative truths of geology ; or, if the ad- 

 herents to certain hypotheses persevere, as they are doing, 

 in pressing it on to the awful arbitrement, with many the 

 physical evidence of geology will be put in the balance 

 against the moral testimony supporting revelation, and, parti- 

 cularly in our own days, when men are adding to the pure 

 law of God ritual and superstitious observances of their 

 own devising as a part of it, the question with many will be, 

 which of the two is entitled to the greater credibility. 



A very few facts also, in regard to interpretation of the 

 Scriptures, where they do not bear upon matters essential 

 to the salvation of mankind, on which point they are always 

 remarkably full and plain, might serve to teach a little 

 caution to Scripture geologists, in laying such stress on de- 

 tached passages and words, written in a language in some 



* Ps. civ. 5. Job ix. 6. Josh. x. 13. Ps. xix. 4, 5, 6. Eccles. i. 5. 

 Ps. civ. 19, &c. 



