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Deluge, or even the creation of man ; not less, indeed, than 15,000 years, 
according to some.” 
Yet an accurate investigation has proved that these assumed 
Zodiacs are no Zodiacs at all ; that the temple itself bears in- 
scriptions proving incontestably that it is not older than the 
first century of the Christian era. 
I shall now proceed to consider some of the difficulties 
which have been urged from the science of geology, to the 
inspiration of the writings of Moses. These difficulties have 
not arisen from the facts of geology, but from the hasty in- 
terpretation of the facts ; from theories and hypotheses, ever 
changing, and all seemingly doomed to very short duration. 
I know no science in which the precepts of Bacon have been 
more neglected, in which the philosophy of the sound induc- 
tive method has been more disregarded. The injury done to 
science by hasty generalizations and theories founded on in- 
sufficient data are best stated in Bacon's own words. 
“Another error” (says Lord Bacon, in his Advancement of Learning), “ of 
a diverse nature from all the former, is the over-early and peremptory re- 
duction of knowledge into arts and methods, from which time commonly 
sciences receive small or no augmentation. But as young men, when they 
knit and shape perfectly, do seldom grow to a further stature, so knowledge, 
while it is in aphorisms and observations, is in growth ; but when it once 
is comprehended in exact methods, it may perchance be further polished and 
illustrated, and accommodated for use and practice, but it increaseth no 
more in bulk and substance. Another error hath proceeded from too great 
a reverence and a kind of adoration of the mind and understanding of man, 
by means whereof men have withdrawn themselves too much from the con- 
templation of nature, and the observations of experience, and have tumbled 
up and down in their own reason and conceits. Upon these intellectualists, 
which are notwithstanding commonly taken for the most sublime and divine 
philosophers, Heraclitus gave a just censure, saying, i Men sought truth in 
their own little worlds, and not in the great and common world,’ for they 
disdain to spell, and so by degrees to read, in the volume of God’s works ; 
and contrariwise, by continual meditation and agitation of wit, do urge and 
as it were invocate their own spirits to divine and give oracles unto them, 
whereby they are deservedly deluded.” 
I shall endeavour to make good my assertion regarding the 
science and progress of geology. 
One great fact is admitted by all geologists, that there is no 
part of the now dry land which did not once lie below the sea. 
This fact fully bears out the words of Moses, “ And the earth 
was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of 
