CHAPTER VI

That the Tower of _Babel_ was erected against a second Deluge.

An opinion there is of some generality, that our fathers after the flood attempted the Tower of _Babel_ to secure themselves against a second Deluge. Which however affirmed by _Josephus_ and others, hath seemed improbable unto many who have discoursed hereon. For (beside that they could not be ignorant of the Promise of God never to drown the world again, and had the Rain-bow before their eyes to put them in mind thereof) it is improbable from the nature of the Deluge; which being not possibly causable from natural showers above, or watery eruptions below, but requiring a supernatural hand, and such as all acknowledg irresistible; must needs disparage their knowledg and judgment in so succesless attempts.

Again, They must probably hear, and some might know, that the waters of the flood ascended fifteen cubits above the highest mountains. Now, if as some define, the perpendicular altitude of the highest mountains be four miles; or as others, but fifteen furlongs, it is not easily conceived how such a structure could be effected. Although we allowed the description of _Herodotus_ concerning the Tower of _Belus_; whose lowest story was in height and bredth one furlong, and seven more built upon it; abating that of the Annian _Berosus_, the traditional relation of _Jerom_, and fabulous account of the _Jews_. Probable it is that what they attempted was feasible, otherwise they had been amply fooled in fruitless success of their labours, nor needed God to have hindred them, saying, Nothing will be restrained from them, which they begin to do.

[Sidenote: _History of the world._]

It was improbable from the place, that is a plain in the land of _Shinar_. And if the situation of _Babylon_ were such at first as it was in the days of _Herodotus_, it was rather a feat of amenity and pleasure, than conducing unto this intention. It being in a very great plain, and so improper a place to provide against a general Deluge by Towers and eminent structures, that they were fain to make provisions against particular and annual inundations by ditches and trenches, after the manner of _Egypt_. And therefore Sir _Walter Raleigh_ accordingly objecteth: If the Nations which followed _Nimrod_, still doubted the surprise of a second flood, according to the opinions of the ancient _Hebrews_, it soundeth ill to the ear of Reason, that they would have spent many years in that low and overflown valley of _Mesopotamia_. And therefore in this situation, they chose a place more likely to have secured them from the worlds destruction by fire, then another Deluge of water: and as _Pierius_ observeth, some have conceived that this was their intention.

Lastly, The reason is delivered in the Text. Let us build us a City and a Tower, whose top may reach unto heaven, and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the whole earth; as we have already began to wander over a part. These were the open ends proposed unto the people; but the secret design of _Nimrod_ was to settle unto himself a place of dominion, and rule over his Brethren, as it after succeeded, according to the delivery of the Text, the beginning of his kingdom was _Babel_.