I confess, I could never persuade myself that the Kingdom of Christ, and of his Saints, which the Scripture speaks of so frequently, was designed to be upon this present Earth. But however, upon all Suppositions, they that have done some Good in this Life, will be Sharers in the Happiness of that State. To humble the Oppressors, and rescue the Oppressed, is a Work of Generosity and Charity, that cannot want its Reward; Yet, MADAM, they are the greatest Benefactors to Mankind, that dispose the World to become Virtuous; and by their Example, Influence, and Authority, retrieve that TRUTH and JUSTICE, that have been lost, amongst Men, for many Ages. The School-Divines, tell us, those that act or suffer great Things for the Publick Good, are distinguish’d in Heaven, by a Circle of Gold about their Heads. One would not willingly vouch for that: But one may safely for what the Prophet says, which is far greater: Namely, that They shall shine like Stars in the Firmament, _that turn many to Righteousness_. Which is not to be understood, so much, of the Conversion of single Souls, as of the turning of Nations and People; the turning of the World to Righteousness. They that lead on that great and happy Work, shall be distinguish’d in Glory from the rest of Mankind. We are sensible, MADAM, from Your Great Example, that Piety and Vertue seated upon a Throne, draw many to Imitation, whom ill Principles, or the Course of the World, might have led another Way. These are the best, as well as easiest Victories, that are gain’d without Contest. And as Princes are the Vicegerents of God upon Earth, so when their Majesty is in Conjunction with Goodness, it hath a double Character of Divinity upon it: And we owe them a double Tribute of Fear and Love. Which, with constant Prayers for Your MAJESTY’s present and future Happiness, shall be always Dutifully paid, by _Your MAJESTY’s Most Humble and Most Obedient Subject_, T. BURNET. PREFACE TO THE READER. I have not much to say to the Reader in this Preface to the Third Part of the Theory; seeing it treats upon a Subject own’d by all, and out of Dispute: _The Conflagration of the World_. The Question will be only about the Bounds and Limits of the Conflagration, the Causes and the Manner of it. These I have fixed, according to the truest Measures I could take from Scripture, and from Nature. I differ, I believe, from the common Sentiment in this, that, in following St. _Peter_’s Philosophy, I suppose, that the burning of the Earth, will be a true Liquefaction or Dissolution of it, as to the exterior Region. And that this lays a Foundation for _new Heavens_ and a _new Earth_; which seems to me as plain a Doctrine in Christian Religion, as the Conflagration itself.