Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1832. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... The comparative coincidence of reason and Scripture Unknown PREFACE. The manuscript of which the contents of the following work is a very faithful copy, has lain for a long series of years concealed from public view. It was written by a person, who at an early age was instructed to keep the mind in an unprejudiced state; and carefully to avoid the imbibing the belief of any religious doctrines to which the reason could not fully assent; to diligently search the Scriptures, and where the assertions therein contained appeared to the investigator rational, to receive them--where they did not appear so, reject them; a research which occupied the unceasing attention of the Author for the long space of fifty years. The result of this inquiry was generally committed to writing in a desultory manner, but without any intention whatever of submitting the inferences and conclusions thereby produced to the inspection of duty of every intelligent creature; that it was in pursuance of these injunctions that the materials of which this work is composed were first committed to paper; that by following them the writer's mind was left wholly unfettered from the restraints that are perhaps very wisely laid upon adventurous research by the orthodox and pious Christian; and that a mind naturally contemplative, under the influence of the above-stated considerations, was almost certain to be led into inquiries that would, by those who consider it their duty to submit their reason to the obedience of faith, be deemed (to name the mildest epithet that would probably be used by such persons) very presumptuous inquiries. The anticipation of exciting such censure has occasioned much demur as to the expediency of publishing the manuscrip...
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