all that fits for heaven, may be traced amidst a wide diversity of Christian parties, is doubtless some consolation for the painful feelings which the perusal of this work must excite. While the writing of it has served to establish and settle the author in his own principles, in preference to those of other denominations, it has, at the same time, extended and strengthened his charity and good-will towards those who differ from him; and, by the nearer acquaintance with them and their principles, to which it has been the means of introducing him, his charity is no doubt more" according to knowledge." May the reading, the perusal of it, have the same happy effect upon all those into whose hands it shall fall! May it lead them to examine the foundation of their own faith, as well as of that of others! May it serve to excite their Christian charity where it was wanting, and to strengthen it where it was weak! And while they lament the unhappy contentions and divisions that prevail in the world, may they all labour earnestly in their several stations to suggest such methods as may prove most effectual, for recovering and preserving the unity of the faith in the bond of peace, and for convincing those who are already of one heart in religion, that they may and ought to be likewise of one mind! At the same time, aware that it is He only who stilleth the raging of the sea, and the noise of his waves, and "the madness of the people," that can say effectually unto contending parties, "Peace, be still;" and that it is He only who gave us the command to "love one another," that can enable us duly to fulfil it, by our loving, not "in word, nor in tongue, but in deed and in truth;" let them fervently beg of God a sovereign remedy for these our contentions. When shall these stumbling-blocks be removed?— "O when shall all these enmities be abolished by the over-powering influence of the Spirit of light and love? When shall these unhappy walls of partition be broken down, and the whole flock of Christ become one blessed fold under Jesus, the Universal Shepherd? When shall we arrive at the 'perfect unity of the faith,' and maintain the 'unity of the Spirit, in the bond of love?' When shall the glory and beauty of the primitive church be restored, where the 'multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul,' united in one faith and hope, by the almighty influences of one Spirit? Come, blessed Redeemer! come, and accomplish thine own gracious words of promise: let there be ' one fold, and one Shepherd:' and let thy blood and thy Spirit, by which we have access to one God, even the Father, cement all our hearts to each other in such an union as shall never be dissolved. Then shall we join with all the creation, in one eternal song, even the song which thy word has taught us: Blessing, and honour and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever!?" Amen. CONTENTS OF VOL. I. N.B. The Articles here marked with an asterisk (*), are not in the former Edition. GRAND DIVISIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLD. 1. Greek and Eastern Churches. Page 205, line 7: dele and. 231, note †, line 8: for Campagnie, read Compagnie. 352, line 13 from bottom: to Seckendorf prefix by. UNIV C INTRODUCTION. THE Religious World is divided into four grand systems, viz. CHRISTIANITY, JUDAISM, PAGANISM, and MOHAMMEDISM. CHRISTIANITY comprehends under it all those who believe that the promised Messiah is already come; that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and the Saviour of the world;— JUDAISM, all those who still expect and look for a promised Messiah; PAGANISM, all those who are wholly unenlightened with Revelation, and worship idols, instead of the true God;-and, MOHAMMEDISM, all those who acknowledge Mohammed to have been a prophet. The only people who may not be classed under one or other of these four divisions, are, the Deists and the Atheists; the latter differing from them all, in owning no religion; and the former, in owning no revelation as the foundation of their religion. The inhabitants of the world may be supposed to amount, at the present time, to about 800,000,000. Of whom we |