single and alone. To the Unitarians of this country, who are a grown and a still growing body, I indeed look with anxiety for approbation and support; and am desirous to make a common cause with every friend of religious enquiry, to whatever sect or party he may belong. If the advocates of genuine Christianity should see reason to withhold their assent, and leave me to rise or fall in the wilderness of ancient errors, I shall indeed be dismayed, but not despair. A writer with my conviction of ultimate success, however destitute of the assistance and countenance of others, or however feeble in himself, will derive vigour from the strength of his cause; and though solitary, feel himself omnipotent in the omnipotence of truth.

In composing the present work, my object was rather to present the public with a concise but impressive view of the subject, than to give in detail all the arguments which support it. I have, therefore, passed by, for the sake of brevity, much matter which a fuller discussion may call forth.

That I might not become too voluminous, or weaken the argument by diffusion, I have avoided all original quotations, excepting where the testimony of the ancients was absolutely necessary to support alleged facts or opinions; and it is to be feared that the learned reader will often look for a reference where, from want of time or inclination, I have not anticipated his wishes,

A more serious apology may be necessary for the little use I have made of modern divines, especially in the second part of the Sequel; as it may appear presumptuous to explain the New Testament without the assistance of those critics, who have already expended much time and learning in explaining it. The simple fact is this-I have read the Scriptures with new and peculiar views; and critical references would be rather an ostentatious display of learning than a solid use to my cause. In matters of criticism and ecclesiastical history, I judge for myself, paying little attention to the opinions of learned divines. Nevertheless, I peruse, with sincere pleasure, the works

of Lardner, Priestley, Lindsey, Wakefield, and Belsham, and feel most grateful for their labours, though, on some occasions, I presume to differ from them. The latter, indeed, is justly considered the leading champion of Unitarianism in this country; and no person, however informed, can read his Calm Enquiry, without being amused and instructed. To recommend a work so learned, copious, and useful, were rather to court than to give the praise of recommendation.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION

PART I.

CHAP. I.

A belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ the neces-

sary consequence of his miracles, when made

known among the Pagans

CHAP. II.

The notion of our Lord's divinity adopted as the

means of undermining the Gospel

CHAP. III.

The peculiar articles of the Orthodox faith derived

from the Gnostic system

b

1-46

47-62

63-80

80-87

CHAP. IV.

Christianity, as the soul of Judaism, does not comprehend the doctrines of the Trinity, the miraculous birth and the atonement of Christ . 87-98

CHAP. V.

Josephus intimates that the doctrine of our Lord's miraculous birth originated with certain impostors who pretended to teach the Gospel in Rome 98-118

CHAP. VI.

The contents of the introductory chapters ascribed to Matthew founded on the transactions which

occurred at Rome

CHAP. VII.

118-141

Jesus Christ proved, from Luke and Josephus, to have been born after the death of Herod the

149-161

The introductory chapters in Matthew have been copied from an ancient spurious Gospel, called the Gospel of the infancy of Jesus

CHAP. IX.

The introductory chapters in Luke taken from an ancient spurious Gospel, called the Gospel of

Mary

162-173