A

OF THE

DENOMINATIONS

OF THE

CHRISTIAN WORLD;

ACCOMPANIED WITH

A PERSUASIVE TO RELIGIOUS MODERATION.
To which is prefixed an Account of

ATHEISM, DEISM, THEOPHILANTHROPISM, JUDAISM,
MAHOMETANISM, AND CHRISTIANITY.

BY

JOHN EVANS, A. M.

Master of a Seminary for a limited Number of Pupils,
PULLIN'S-ROW, ISLINGTON.

THE ELEVENTH EDITION,

CORRECTED AND ENLARGED,

WITH

A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE

OF THE LEADING EVENTS OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, FROM THE
BIRTH OF CHRIST DOWN TO THE PRESENTt time.

Σπεδάζοντες τηρειν την ενότητα τὸ πνεύματος εν τῶ συνδέσμῳ

τῆς εἰρήνης.

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

PAUL

LONDON:

Printed by J. & E. Hodson, Cross-street, Hatton-Garden,
FOR CROSBY & CO. STATIONERS-COURT, PATERNOSTER ROW
And Sold by every Bookseller and Stationer in the United Kingdom.

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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 near Fifty Thousand copies, must contribute in some degree to extend the empire of religious knowledge and Christian charity. In every 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

in all instances accurate information, is a task of almost insuperable difficulty. 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;
"Thy grace their hope-thy love their only boast,
"Be all distinctions in-the CHRISTIAN lost."

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 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 increasiug 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 orthodox, more acceptable to my Redeemer, than he is,and that somewhat is Eternal Life, the gift of God through JESUS CHRIST!"

Mr. Jay of Bath, in his excellent Sermons, remarks that "the readiest way in the world to thin heaven and replenish the regions of hell, is to call in the spirit of bigotry. This will immediately arraign and condemn, and execute all that do not bow down and worship the image of our