jfiv PREFACE. 



It will be observed, that three parts of the orU 

 ginal plan yet remain to be executed. Whether 

 the execution of the whole will be attempted de- 

 pends, in some measure, on the reception which 

 sh'^ll be given to this First Part. The author is 

 particularly desirous of completing the fourth 

 and last division ; viz. that which relates to the 

 Literature, Science, Revolutions, and principal 

 Events of the Christian Church during the last 

 age; and even if he should be compelled to aban- 

 don the two intermediate divisions, he cherishes 

 the hope of being able, if his life should be 

 spared, to lay something before the public on thi^ 

 favourite subject. 



The reader is particularly requested not to over- 

 look the Additional Notes. They will be found 

 to supply some of the deficiencies, and to correct 

 some of the errors with which the body of the 

 work abounds. About an eighth or tenth part of 

 these notes are derived from the remarks of friends. 

 It was at first intended to make a particular ac- 

 knowledgment to every individual who had fur- 

 nished any thing of this kind; but, for cogent 

 reasons, a general acknowledgment was afterwards 

 thought preferable. 



