PREFACE, 



xV SIMPLE history of this publication will best 

 unfold its design, and will form the best apology 

 for its numerous imperfections. On the first day 

 of January, in the year 1801, the author being 

 called, in the course of his pastoral duty, to de- 

 liver a sermon, instead of choosing the topics of 

 address most usual at the commencement of a new 

 year, it occurred to him as more proper, in enter- 

 ing on a neiv Century, to attempt a review of the 

 preceding age, and to deduce from the prominent 

 features of that period such moral and religious 

 reflections as might be suited to the occasion. A 

 discourse, formed on this plan, was accordingly 

 delivered. Some who heard it were pleased to 

 express a wish that it might be published. After 

 determining to comply with this wish, it was at 

 first intended to publish the original discourse, 

 with some amplification; to add a large body of 

 notes for the illustration of its several parts; and 

 to comprise the whole in a single volume. Pro- 

 posals were issued for the publication in this form, 

 and a number of subscribers gave their names for 

 its encouragement. 



Little progress had been made in preparing 

 the work, on this plan, for the press, before the 

 objections to such a mode of arranging the mate- 

 rials appeared so many and cogent, that it was at 

 length thought best to lay aside the form of a ser- 

 mon, and to adopt a plan that would admit of 



