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L E T T E R III.

proved. But we see it taken, very properiy to besure, in fuvor os sacred and irifallible writings,when they are compared with others.

In order to perceive with tiie utmost evidence,that the scope and design ot the author or authorsof the Pencateuch , and of the other boots ot theOld testament, anfwer as littie the purpose ofantiquaries, in history, as in chronology. it will befufficient briefly to cail to roi m! the íum ot whatthey relate, from the création of the world to theestablishment of the Persiaa empire. If the antedi-luvian world continued one thon fan d sixhundredand fìfty-six years , and if the vocation of Abraham is to be placed four hundred and twenty-six yearsbelow the deluge , thefe tvventy centuries matealmost two thirds of the period mentioned: andthe whole history of the m is comprized in elevenshort chapters of Genefis ; which is certainly themost compendious extract that ever vvas made. Ifwe examine the contents of th'eie chapters, do wefindany thing like an univerfal history, or sb mnchas an abridgment of it? Adam and Eve vverecreated, they bro-ke the commandaient os God ,they were driven ou t of the garden ofEden, oneof their sons killed his brother, but their race soonmuldplied and peopled theearth What geographynow hâve we, what history of this antediluvianworld? Why, none. The sons of God , it is laid,lay with the daughters ot men, and begot gbntî,and God drowned ail the inhabiiants of the earth,except one famiiy. Aster this we’ read that theearth vvas repeopled; but thefe ehiidren oí one