ADVERTISEMENT

TO THIS REVISED EDITION.

THE revision and enlargement of the History, to which the earlier editions of this work were adapted, occasioned so many alterations, that the answers to many questions could not be found. This caused much embarrassment to both teachers and scholars, though not to such an extent as to destroy its usefulness. The public have continued to call for this system of questions till it is felt that they have a right to an edition free from the inconveniences above inentioned. Such an edition is now furnished.

The whole work, in other respects, is substantially what it was before. One of the notes has been shortened, because the ground was so fully covered by the additions to the History A few unimportant questions have been omitted.

November, 1838.

CONTENTS.

CONTENTS OF CHAPTERS.

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CONTENTS OF NOTES.

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CHAPTER 1. - p. 4u which is not sacred ? Profane hrs.

tory, or uninspired history. Importance of History. What is ecclesiastical history!

That which relates more particu-
Of what does history set before larly to the church of Christ.
us striking instances ?

What is civil history? That
By what principle, does it incite which relates to other subjects,
us to copy such roble examples ? more especially civil government
Against what, does history warn and civil society.
How ?

Is sacred history ecclesiastical or
What hidden springs does it civil ? Both ; but principally ec-

clesiastical.
What blessings does it illustrate?
What miseries?

What does history conduce to
illustrate and improve ? Every art
and every science.

CHAPTER II.
With what science, has history
the most important connection ? Importance of our oron History.
Theology:

What is theology? The sci What history is next in impor.
ence, that teaches the perfections tance to sacred history? That of
of God, and the duties we owe to our own country.
him.

Is our history civil or ecclesias-
What history is most important ? tical ? Both.
Sacred history

What part of it should be reWhat is sacred history? 'The garded as principally ecclesiastihistory contained in the bible. cal? The history of New-Eng

How great a part of the bible is land. history ? More than half.

Why? Because a regard for Mention some books of the bible, the welfare and extension of the that are principally historical. church, was the grand principle,

Why is sacred history exceed that actuated the fathers of Newingly important ? It is full of in England, and because the churches struction itself, and sheds light and here have had a leading influence glory apon all other parts of the in making New-England what it is. bible.

Were not the fathers of New. What

18 that history called, 1 England equally stimulated by a

107 115

1

118 119 125

127 131 143

144

148

153 168 178

regard to freedom and literature ? 'They regarded these principally as conducive to the welfare of the church.

Why is our history next in im portance, to sacred history? Because God has not dealt so with any other nation.t Ps. 147. 20.

* NOTE A.

should study the history of our Importance of studying our own

country, because it is the history History.

of an empire, manifestly destined

to be more extensive, more popuThis we should study, not mere lous, more mighty, more intelligent, ly, nor principally, because it is the more industrious, more enterprishistory of our country, but because ing, more wealthy, more virtuous, it is in itself superlatively impor- and more happy, than the sun has tant, and ought to be read by every yet beheld, or perhaps will ever eye, and live in every heart; be- behold, till time shall be no longer. cause it is the history of the first We should study the history of civil government, that ever any our country, because it has already people deliberately, formed and given a most glorious impulse to adopted for themselves; the no freedom in distant lands, and beblest political institution, that the cause it is destined to give to the world has ever seen ; the first gov. nations, new lessons upon the sciernment, that was ever established ence of civil government and social upon the genuine basis of freedom. happiness, upon the arts, upon We should study our history, be- education, upon every thing, that cause it is the history of Christian exalts and adorns humanity. We enterprise - of Christian enter should study the history of our prise, the most magnanimous and country, because it is the land of beneficent, that was ever devised revivals, a garden that the Lord and accomplished by human virtue ; delights to bless, and because we because it is the history of the have reason to believe, it is deswonderful works of God, in pre tined to do more than any other, paring for himself, a peculiar peo to send the gospel through the ple, zealous of good works - in world; to enlighten, convert and trying, proving and refining them save mankind; to hasten the glories in the furnace of affliction in of the millennial day; and that this bringing them forth from the land country shall be unto the Lord for of oppression -- in preserving them a name and an everlasting sign, from deaths oft - in sustaining, that shall not be cut off. comforting, guiding, planting, mul For these and other reasons, the tiplying, extending, strengthening history of this most distinguished and prospering them, when they land, deserves attention from all the were a poor, despised, persecuted inhabitants of the world; and no people, regarded as the filth of the doubt it excites the admiring gratiearth and the offscouring of all tude of all the inhabitants of heaven, things. We should study the his- and perhaps diffuses joy througń tory of our country, because it is millions of worlds. the history of faith, of patience, It must be confessed, however, of meekness, of godliness, of broth that the highest claims of our hiserly kindness, of charity, of self tory are upon ourselves. God for. denial, of fortitude, of persever. bid, that we should regard our ance, of every Christian grace, and fathers with the coldness of stran. of more than heroic virtue. We 'gers that we should think it a