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polluted and opprefs'd, is very exprefly foretold both by the Apostles and Prophets; fo that although this Empire has had a longer Continuance than ¡all the four other great Monarchies, yet there is all the Reason to believe that the Mystical Babylon will fall and be no more.

I am fenfible that this Attempt of comparing the Holy Scriptures may by fome be thought a needless Undertaking, fince there are fo many References in the Margin of the greater Bibles; but many of them relate only to Words of the fame Signification; and befides, how few of those who have them, will be at the Pains of turning from one end of the Bible to the other to compare them?

I have endeavour'd to keep the Historical Part entire, but have omitted many Chapters relating to the particular Laws and Customs of the Ifraelites, inferting chiefly such as are referred to in the New Teftament, and other Parts of the Scripture.

The History of their Kings contained in the Books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles are abftracted, only inferting those Chapters out of these Books where the fame Matters of Facts are moft fully related; in many Places the Contents only are inferted, fo that the Chapters at length may be eafily found and turned to. To which is added fome part of the Book of Jeremiah and Daniel, which contain the Relation of Facts not exprefs'd elsewhere.

Though the Holy Scripture inftructs us in all Things neceffary to our everlafting Salvation, and affords the greatest Comfort and Support in our Paffage to it, yet fuch is the Pride and Perverfeness of fome Men, that they chufe to be guided by their own weak Reafon, rather than fubmit to the Direction of the Divine Revelation. But it is no Wonder that those who are indulging their vicious Inclinations, fhould hate that Light, which not only reproves, but de

nounces

nounces eternal Vengeance against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of Men.

The Reasoning upon Righteousness and Judgments to come, by a Prisoner at the Bar, threw once a Roman Governor into a Fit of Trembling; it is from thefe Pangs that Men of vicious Lives are endeavouring to fkreen themselves by Infidelity, and the Hopes that their Souls and Bodies will expire together; and this is the Opiate, upon which their fancy'd Happiness depends.

It is too apparent, that Infidelity is become the fashionable Vice of this Age; but I am perfuaded nothing can more effectually tend to the putting a Stop to it, than the pious Care which you take of the Charity-Schools, where Children are taught both to believe, and do as the Gospel requires.

If the Harmony of the Holy Scriptures which I have attempted to make, and am very fenfible is here imperfectly perform'd, (for I do not pretend to Criticifm;) fhall by the Bleffing of the Almighty be of the leaft Ufe, either in giving Encouragement to any to read the Scriptures with Attention, or fhall afford them any Affiftance in the right Understanding of them, fo that they may take Delight in the Law of God, and meditate therein Day and Night, my Labour will be fully recompenfed; for the very Searchies into these Treafures of Divine Wisdom and Knowledge, afford fuch Delights as are not eafily to be express'd.

If it fhall please the Almighty to prolong my Life, I will endeavour to pursue the fame Method in Relation to the Pfalms and the New Teftament, in which I have made fome Progrefs.

The Tranflation of the Letter from the Earl of Mirandola to his Nephew, contains fo much true. Piety, and fuch ftrong Reafons for the Practice of it, and fo fully recommends the reading of the Holy

Scriptures

Scriptures with Diligence and Attention, that I have added it to this Effay.

Gentlemen,

That the Almighty may blefs and fucceed your pious Endeavours in encouraging, inftructing, and maintaining the Children educated in the CharitySchools, and that you may reap the Fruits of your Labours here, by feeing these Children become useful, honeft, and religious; and that you may receive the Reward of your pious Charity hereafter, is the hearty Prayer of

Your moft Humble Servant,

E. HARLEY.

xvi

The Translation of a Letter from the Earl of MIRANDOLA and CONCORDIA, to his Nephew, then an Officer in the Army, of the Emperor Charles the Fifth.

This Earl was esteemed the most beautiful Perfon of that Age, and a Man of the most exalted Genius.

He

quitted all his great Employments in the Imperial Court. He died in the Flower of his Age, about the Year 1494.

Dear Nephew,

HAT you are furrounded with Temptations to Tdo Evil, and to violate the Rules of Piety you

have laid down for the Conduct of your Life, ought neither to be the Subject of your Wonder, your Grief, or you Fear: For how much greater would the Wonder be, if to you the Way to Heaven was broad and eafy, when all Mankind have found it narrow, and a Paffage, not to be gained without much Labour and Difficulty? Can you imagine that there are now no more Allurements in the World, no fpiritual Enemies to encounter, or no carnal Affections to be overcome?

But St. James fays, Rejoice, when you fall into divers Temptations, and very juftly too; for where is the Hope of Glory, if there is none of Victory? Or how can there be a Victory, when there is nothing to conquer? Tell me, my dear Nephew, if any of the Things of this World are to be obtained without

first undergoing much Labour, and many Difficulties.

The Merchant, if he after a ten Years Voyage can encrease his Estate, repines at none of the many Difficulties and Dangers he has paffed through.

I fhall not mention to you the Perils of a Soldier's Life, Experience has fufficiently inftructed you in them.

How great is the Trouble, how many the Anxieties which furround the Way to the Favour of Princes, in the gaining Friends, and acquiring Honours?

These I can better learn of you, than tell you; for I am content with my Books, and I have endeavoured to retire within my felf, and farther than this, I do not aim or afpire.

Shall we then labour with fo much Eagerness after the uncertain fading Things of this Life, which are common both to us and Brutes?

And fhall we take fo little Pains to obtain an eternal Inheritance, infinitely above all that Eye ever faw, or Ear heard, or ever entred into the Heart of Man to conceive?

Why are we thus unwillingly drawn to the Love and Service of the Almighty; as if God needed us, or that the Inhabitants of the Heavenly Mansions could not be happy without us?

Indeed, if earthly Happiness could be obtained without any Pains of ours, would any chuse this rather than the Favour and Bleffings of the Almighty?

But if the way of the Ungodly is not lefs, nay more uneafy than the Paths of Righteousness; is ic not the height of Madness not to follow that which leads to the Rewards of our Labours, rather than that wherein only the Punishment of them is to be found?

I omit the Peace, and Felicity of a Confcience void of Offence towards God and Man, which is certainly

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