BY ELIZABETH HAMILTON,

AUTHOR OF
LETTERS ON THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF

EDUCATION, &c. &c. &c.

THE SECOND EDITION,

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES,

IN THE STRAND,
By W. Flint, Old Bailey.

1806.

CONTENTS.

LETTER I.

Or natural religion-Founded on belief in God

and a future state of rewards and punishments
- Inquiry into the state of natural religion
prior to revelation-Gross misconceptions of
men respecting the divine attributes—Intro-
duction of barbarous rites in religious worship

-Errors of idolatry perpetuated during the

most enlightened æras of Greece and Rome-

Opinions of philosophers respecting a future

state, vagne and speculative-Not influential

on moral conduct-Of the religions principles -

of the Jews—The simplicity and sublimity

peculiar to many of their dogmas-Whence derived--Mysteries connected with certain parts of revelation-Their gradual developement-Analogous to that of the human faculties-Views. of Providence presented in the Bible, clear in all that relates to religious and moral duty-Objections to revelation originate in the limitation of the human mind--Docility recommended--An arrogant spirit inimical to every species of improvement.............1

LETTER II.

Early corruption of the principles of natural mythological fable and Scriptural history~ The events related in the latter clearly explained by their reference to the Messiah – History of the promises made to our first parents after the fall- to Noah-to AbrahamThe covenant made with Abraham predictive of the Messiah-Gracious condescension of the Almighty, in attaching to every promise of that event predictions concerning events speedily to be accomplished, and which in their accomplishment, afforded a convincing proof of the divine veracity-Of the promised land - The manifestation of Moses Miracles ne. cessary to the establishment of his authority.................................22

LETTER III.

Of the harmony which appears between the or

dinary and extraordinary dispensations of Providence-The works of nature considered as a revelation of the divine power and wisdomState of religious belief at the time of MosesSensible evidences of revelation necessary to afford conviction to the Jews-Their entering