(November 29, 1627–January 17, 1705), was a British biologist and natural theologian who founded of the Royal Society. Considered the father of English natural history, he was a respected expert in the field of taxonomy, botany and zoology. He compiled an extensive catalogue of English flora and, between 1686–1704, published A General History of Plants (3 vols.).
John Ray authored A Persuasive to a Holy Life, 1700, and The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of Creation, 1691,283 in which he stated:
The works created by God at first, and by Him conserved to this day in the same state and condition in which they were first made.284