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Physico-theology

Chapter 18: CHAP. II.
By W. Derham
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About This Book

A series of sixteen sermons presents a physico-theological demonstration of God's existence and attributes by examining natural phenomena. The author combines natural-history observations, microscopy, and philosophical argument to infer design and divine qualities from created order, addressing objections and drawing on earlier naturalists' findings. Sermon text is interwoven with extended notes and curious observations on plants, animals, geological forms, and the mechanics of living structures. The work aims to make empirical knowledge serve theological ends by showing how observable features of nature support claims about a creator's power, wisdom, and benevolence.

CHAP. II.

Of the Bulk of the Terraqueous Globe.

The next Thing remarkable in the Terraqueous Globe, is the prodigious Bulk thereof[a]. A Mass of above 260 Thousand Million of Miles solid Content. A Work too grand for any thing less than a God to make. To which in the next Place we may add,

FOOTNOTES:

[a] It is not difficult to make a pretty near Computation of the Bulk of the Terraqueous Globe, from those accurate Observations of a Degree made by Mr. Norwood in England, and Mr. Picart, and Mr. Cassini in France. Whose Measures do in a surprizing manner agree. But Mr. Cassini’s seeming to be the most accurate (as I have shewn in my Astro-Theology, B. 1. Ch. 2. Note (a).) I have there made use of his Determinations. According to which the Diameter of the Earth being 7967,72 English Miles, its Ambit will be 25031½ Miles; and (supposing it to be Spherical) its Surface will be 199444220 Miles; which being multiplied into ⅓ of its Semidiameter, gives the Solid Content, viz. 264856000000 Miles.