_Strabo_ speaks naturally of this Lake, that it was first caused by Earthquakes, by sulphureous and bituminous eruptions, arising from the Earth. But the Scripture makes it plain to have been from a miraculous hand, and by a remarkable expression, _pluit Dominus ignem et Sulphur à Domino_. See also _Deut. 29. in ardore Salis_: burning the Cities and destroying all things about the Plain, destroying the vegetable nature of Plants and all living things, salting and making barren the whole Soil, and, by these fiery Showers, kindling and setting loose the body of the bituminous Mines, which shewed their lower Veins before but in some few Pits and openings, swallowing up the Foundation of their Cities; opening the bituminous Treasures below, and making a smoak like a Furnace able to be discerned by _Abraham_ at a good distance from it. * * * * * If this little may give you satisfaction, I shall be glad, as being, Sir, _Yours_, etc. OF THE ANSWERS of the Oracle of Apollo at Delphos to Croesus King of Lydia TRACT XI SIR, Among the Oracles[276] of _Appollo_ there are none more celebrated than those which he delivered unto _Crœsus_ King of _Lydia_,[277] who seems of all Princes to have held the greatest dependence on them. But most considerable are his plain and intelligible replies which he made unto the same King, when he sent his Chains of Captivity unto _Delphos_, after his overthrow by _Cyrus_, with sad expostulations why he encouraged him unto that fatal War by his Oracle, saying,[278] Crœsus, _if he Wars against the Persians, shall dissolve a great Empire_. Why, at least, he prevented not that sad infelicity of his devoted and bountifull Servant, and whether it were fair or honourable for the Gods of _Greece_ to be ingratefull: which being a plain and open delivery of _Delphos_, and scarce to be parallel'd in any ancient story, it may well deserve your farther consideration. [276] _See_ Vulg. Err. _l._ 7. c. 12. [277] Herod. _l._ 1. 46, 47, etc. 90, 91. [278] Προλέγουσαι Κροίσω, ἢν στρατεύηται ἐπὶ Πέρσας, μεγάλην ἀρχήν μιν καταλύσειν. Herod. _Ibid._ 54. 1. His first reply was, _That_ Crœsus _suffered not for himself_; but paid the transgression of his fifth predecessour, who kill'd his Master and usurp'd the dignity unto which he held no title. Now whether _Crœsus_ suffered upon this account or not, hereby he plainly betrayed his insufficiency to protect him; and also obliquely discovered he had a knowledge of his misfortune; for knowing that wicked act lay yet unpunished, he might well divine some of his successours might smart for it: and also understanding he was like to be the last of that race, he might justly fear and conclude this infelicity upon him.