145 
country, before we positively affirm that they have no such tradi- 
tion, especially when there is a diversity of testimony upon the 
subject? 
“ If, therefore, we should be able to find in the history of the 
eastern nations, as certain traditions concerning a deluge, and as 
certain proofs of the invalidity of their pretensions to any great 
antiquity, as are confessedly to be met with in every other quar- 
ter of the globe, should we not have great reason to acquiesce 
in the account given by Moses of the deluge, and the subsequent 
spreading of the descendants of Noah over all the earth, notwith- 
standing the difficulties which may attend our endeavours to ex- 
plain the manner in which the deluge was effected, or the doubts 
which some have suggested concerning its ever having taken place, 
from their not being able to discover any vestiges of it on the sur- 
face of the earth.” 
Happily since this learned Prelate delivered his excellent, charge 
to the clergy of Ely, Sir William Jones, and many other gentlemen 
of taste and judgment, have made deep researches into the sacred 
books of the Hindoos, and have solved all these difficulties: and, 
as is clearly slated in the preceding extracts from a view of the 
Brahminical religion (of which I hope to be excused the repetition 
of a few words), it is proved, “ that in common with all other na- 
“ tions, the Hindoos have preserved some indistinct remembrance 
“ of the antediluvian generations, and the antediluvian personages 
“ mentioned in the Jewish scriptures. But the first great and im- 
“ porlant event which they attest clearly and unequivocally, is the 
awful catastrophe of the general destruction of the world by a food; 
u 
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