To obviate the danger, which results from such erroneous opinions, is the end of the following Dissertation on the credibility and theology of the Pentateuch.

Oxford Jan. 17. 1800.

xiii

ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

In this second edition, various errors have been corrected, much extraneous matter has been omitted, considerable additions have been made, and very large portions have been entirely new modelled and written afresh. The whole composition therefore, as it is now presented to the public, may truly be considered in the light of a new work. Long-Newton Rectory.

May 31. 1817.

CONTENTS

OF

VOL. I.

BOOK I.

The credibility of the Pentateuch as a portion of authentic

history, p. 1

SECT. I.

The external credibility of the Pentateuch, p. 3

CHAP. I.

A general statement of the subject, p. 3

Statement of the argument, p. 3

· I. Character of the Pentateuch, p. 6

II. Grounds of admitting its authenticity, p. 8 .

III. View of the ancient history contained in it, p. 10

1. The creation, p. 10

2. The fall, p. 11

3. Antediluvian wickedness, the moral cause of the

deluge, p. 12

4. Postdiluvian history of Noah, p. 13

5. The tower of Babel, p. 13

6. The call of Abraham : the destruction of Sodom

and Gomorrha, p. 14

7. The history of Joseph: the Exodus of Israel, p.

'

14

IV. If the ancient history of the Pentateuch be genuine,

we may expect that the Gentiles will have preserved

some traditions of the events which it records, p. 15

CHAP. II.

Heathen Cosmogonies, p. 17

I. Chaldèan cosmogony, p. 20

11. Egyptian cosmogony, p. 22,

III. Phenician cosmogony, p. 23

IV. Persian cosmogony, p. 25

V. Hindoo cosmogony, p. 25

VI. Chinese cosmogony, p. 28

VII. Etruscan cosmogony, p. 29

VIII. Gothic cosmogony, p. 30

IX. Cosmogonies of the Greek philosophers, p. 31

1. Orpheus, p. 32

2. Linus, p. 32

3. Zeno, p. 32

4. Anaxagoras, p. 32

5. Thales, p. 32

6. Aristophanes, p. 33

X. American cosmogonies, p. 53

1. Peruvian, p. 33

2. Virginian, p. 33

3. Mexican, p. 34