The Sacred and Prophane History of the World Connected

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: c other Notions contained in them; about the Harmony of the Parts of thofe Books to one another, and their Contradiction to prophane Hiflory, and a- bout the Miracles reported in them. I have brought down the Inquiry from the Beginning; I have examined [ I hope ] with the greateft Freedom, and if even my imperfect Endeavours fhould evidence, as far as I have gone, that thereis nothing unreafonable or contradictory in the Scriptures, what might be done upon this Subject, if fome great Hand would treat it, and compofe a Work worthy of Your Lordfhip's Acceptance and Protection ? ' The chapter{Section 4The Licentioufnefs of fome modern Writers would bring a lading Reproach upon the pre- fent Age, if their Sentiments could go down to Pofterity with any Marks of public Approbation. But as it is one Part of our prefent Happinefs, fo we cannot but coniider with Pleafure, that, however fond fome are of objecSt- ing again ft all revealed Religion, or of reprefenting our Legal E- ftablifhment of the Chriftian to be an Incroacbment upon their Natural Rights and Civil Liberties; yet, when the Hiftory of thofe Times, which have been happily diftinguiihed by Your Lordfhip's conducting the pub chapter{Section 5lie Counfels, fhall be read hereafter, it will appear, that the truly great Perfons, who did moft for the public Happinefs and Liberties of Mankind, were the trueft Patrons of the Univerfities, the Church, and Clergy, and that, in the beft manner; by being as averfe to all Thoughts of Perfe- cution in defence of even true Religion, as they were willing to favour thofe, who by proper Arguments, and a juft Behaviour and Difpofition were induftrious to recommend it to the World. I am fenfible that my Ambition of Your Lordfhip's Favour may be a Difadvantage to my Perf...