THE

CONTENTS.

L E T T E R. I.

Of the ftudy of hiftory. Page, i

Letter II.

Concerning the true ufe and advantages of it. ^

Letter III.

1 . An objection againft the utility of hiftory removed.

2. The falfe and true aims of thofe who ftudy it.

3. Of the hiftory of the firft ages ; with reflections onthe ftate of ancient hiftory, profane and facred. 32

Letter IV.

1. That there is in hiftory fufficient authenticity to renderit ufeful, notwithftanding all objections to the contrary.2. Of the method and due reftriCtions to be obfervedin the ftudy of it. 73

Letter V.

I. The great ufe of hiftory, properly fo called as diftin-guifhed from the writings of mere annalifts and anti-quaries. 2. Greek and Roman hiftorians. 3. Someidea of a complete hiftory. 4. Further cautions to beobferved in this ftudy, and the regulation of it accord-ing to the different profeflions, and fituations of men:above all, the ufe to be made of it (1) by divines,and (2) by thofe who are called to the fervice oftheir country. . 92

Letter VI.

From what period modern hiftory is peculiarly ufeful tothe fervice of our country, viz. From the end ofthe fifteenth century to the prefent. The divifion of