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that the earth and its vegetation then received the warmth of its beams, that the azure sky was then apparent, that hills and trees then cast their shadows, &c. When it is expressly declared, that on the fifth and sixth 'days feathered fowl and cattle received their existence, it is virtually declared, that birds then flew in the air from place to place, and that animals then moved and grazed on the surface of the ground ; although “ we are not told “ so:” a condition, which a modern Critic appears to deem indispensably necessary for every step which his reason may venture to take 1. Again, when it is expressly declared, that waters which at first had covered and con cealed the entire surface of the Globe, were, on the third day, collected into one place or portion of that surface, so as to leave the other portion dry and apparent; it is vir tually declared, under the same laws, that those waters were then admitted into, and sunk within that place or portion, below the portion which they had abandoned and left dry. When it is expressly declared, that that dry portion was afterwards destroyed by the waters of the sea brought again upon it, it is virtually declared, that a partial refusion, at least, or return of its waters, then took place ; and, when it is further expressly declared, that the land “ which now is,” is not that same dry portion “ which « then was,” it is virtually declared, with the concurring testimony of marine monuments universally incorporated into the substance of this present land, that the refusion or return of the waters was complete. And, when we have once apprehended the last of these amazing transactions, thus virtually declared and palpably attested; transactions, 1 See afterwards.
