ADVERTISEMENT TO THE TENTH EDITION. THE present impression, consisting of Five Thousand Copies, has undergone various alterations and improvements. The author has availed himself of the remarks both of friends and foes; and it is presumed, that the work now pos~ sesses greater correctness and impartiality. Nothing, indeed, has been omitted which might render it less unworthy of the very extensive and almost unparalleled patronage it has received from the religious public-Six Thousand copies having been sold within these last three years. The Chronological Table is now added with the view of interesting young people, and of inducing them to form a just idea of the leading and important facts of Ecclesiastical History. The well-informed Christian seldom falls a prey to enthusiasm, superstition, or bigotry. The author's only object in drawing up the Sketch was to inform the understanding, and by informing the understanding, to promote the mild and quiet, the generous and unassuming spirit of SCRIPTURAL CHRISTIANITY. ISLINGTON, April 6th, 1807. PREFACE TO THE NINTH EDITION. THAT the AUTHOR is gratified by the repeated editions of this little work, on which he has bestowed many a laborious hour, it would be affectation in him to deny-and he flatters himself that the circulation of upwards of Thirty Thousand copies, (the number which has issued from the press) must contribute in some degree to extend the empire of religious knowledge and Christian charity. In the present impression he has attended carefully to recent communications, and where individuals had sent confused and contradictory accounts of their own party, he has endeavoured to adjust their claims with impartiality. To obtain in all instances accurate. information, is a task of almost insuperable difficulty. In many cases prejudice, passion, and interest, have multiplied religious differences to a degree, which excites both his grief and astonishment. But he is persuaded that could the professors of Christianity be once brought to listen candidly to each other's opinions, they would not only be the less likely to be led away by the clamours of bigotry, but they would become more thoroughly disposed to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace "Fountain of Being! teach them to devote "To thee each purpose, action, word, and thought; HANNAH MORE. The Author is pleased to find, that the Biographical Illustrations of the Frontispiece prove acceptable to young readers, who cannot be supposed to be better acquainted with the principal characters, than with the leading opinions of the religious community. And some information, however short, was thought to be interestingof persons, who, on account of their talents, learning, and piety, have in a manner given laws to the several districts of Christendom. Nor will it be improper just to mention, that the Recapitulatory Table at the end of the work, by being familiarized to the young mind, has been found conducive to improvement. From a friend who has some time ago / left Paris, the Author learns that the Sketch is translated into the French and German languages, under the superintendence of Messrs. Vos and Co. celebrated booksellers at Leipsic. May its increasing circulation prove the means of diffusing a spirit of free enquiry--and of promoting the exercise of true liberality. "There is a somewhat," says that able defender of Revealed Religion, the present Bishop of Landaff, "in our COMMON faith, in which ALL are agreed, and that somewhat is in my opinion a circumstance of such ineffable importance, that I will never refuse the right hand of fellowship to him who acknowledges its truth---never think or speak of him with disrespect, nor with true pharisaical pride, esteem myself to be more |