[The present Series embraces the period between the expulsion from Paradise and the death of the Patriarch Isaac.] SWAFFHAM: PRINTED BY F. SKILL.. ΤΟ HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY, DUKE OF CLARENCE, LORD HIGH ADMIRAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, &c. &c. SIR, I beg most respectfully to assure you, that not another can appreciate more duly than I do, the distinguished honour now permitted me of laying before your Royal Highness the subjoined Work, on the leading beauties of Scripture History. To me it appeared, that to no other Personage could a Work of this nature vi be with more propriety dedicated. The august rank of a Prince, presumptive heir to one of the loftiest thrones in Europe, throws around his example consequences most important upon all occasions, and most valuable when directed to the best interests of religion. Such, Sir, is your example at this moment. Your Royal Highness has, since your acceptance of the ancient and dignified office of Lord High Admiral, explicitly avowed a just sense of, and attachment to, the principles of that pure faith, which forms the basis of the Established Church of these realms; and evinced the sincerity of your convictions by the practical adoption of regulations, the best calculated (as far as human wisdom can go,) to secure the full value of religious instruction, to vii that meritorious department of the public service over which your Royal Highness has been called, so happily for the Empire, to preside. Your Royal Highness has openly declared, that you will make correct moral character and orthodox principles to be essential qualifications for the clerical appointments annexed to the patronage your high office. of Your Royal Highness has prohibited the dissemination, in the Navy, of any tracts or books on sacred subjects, which may not be pronounced, by competent authority, to be pure in doctrine and instrumental to happiness. For these salutary cares your Royal Highness is entitled to the grateful affection of every Bible Christian. |