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The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation: In Two Parts. Viz. The Heavenly Bodies, Elements, Meteors, Fossils, Vegetables, Animals (beasts, ... and in the Admirable Structure...
This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for kindle devices. We have endeavoured to create this version as close to the original artefact as possible. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we believe they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1691
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John Ray
274 books3 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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September 29, 2024
A CLASSIC OF "NATURAL THEOLOGY," WHICH INFLUENCED PALEY
John Ray (1627-1705) was an English naturalist, sometimes referred to as the father of English natural history. (This book greatly influenced William Paley's famous 'Natural Theology.')
Here are some representative quotations:
"the Almighty discovers more of his Wisdom in forming such a vast multitude of different sorts of creatures, and all with admirable and irreprovable art, than if he had created but a few; for this declares the greatness and unbounded capacity of his understanding."
"If the works of Nature are better, more exact and perfect than the works of Art, and Art effects nothing without reason, neither can the works of Nature be thought to be effected without Reason; for, is it not absurd and incongruous, than when thou beholdt a Statue or curious picture, thou should acknowledge that Art was used to the making of it..."
"I persuade myself, that the bountiful and gracious Author of man's being and faculties, and all things else, delights in the Beauty of his Creation, and is well pleased with the industry of Man, in adorning the Earth with beautiful cities and castles, with pleasant villages and country houses, with regular gardens and orchards..."
"the Eye is already so perfect, that I believe the reason of Man would easily have rested here, and admired at his own contrivance."
It should be noted that Ray is no fundamentalist, as he states, "As to the Scripture, when speaking of these things, it accommodates itself to the common and received opinions, and employs the usual phrases and forms of speech ... without intention of delivering any thing doctrinally concerning these points, or confuting the contrary."
John Ray (1627-1705) was an English naturalist, sometimes referred to as the father of English natural history. (This book greatly influenced William Paley's famous 'Natural Theology.')
Here are some representative quotations:
"the Almighty discovers more of his Wisdom in forming such a vast multitude of different sorts of creatures, and all with admirable and irreprovable art, than if he had created but a few; for this declares the greatness and unbounded capacity of his understanding."
"If the works of Nature are better, more exact and perfect than the works of Art, and Art effects nothing without reason, neither can the works of Nature be thought to be effected without Reason; for, is it not absurd and incongruous, than when thou beholdt a Statue or curious picture, thou should acknowledge that Art was used to the making of it..."
"I persuade myself, that the bountiful and gracious Author of man's being and faculties, and all things else, delights in the Beauty of his Creation, and is well pleased with the industry of Man, in adorning the Earth with beautiful cities and castles, with pleasant villages and country houses, with regular gardens and orchards..."
"the Eye is already so perfect, that I believe the reason of Man would easily have rested here, and admired at his own contrivance."
It should be noted that Ray is no fundamentalist, as he states, "As to the Scripture, when speaking of these things, it accommodates itself to the common and received opinions, and employs the usual phrases and forms of speech ... without intention of delivering any thing doctrinally concerning these points, or confuting the contrary."
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