been called for, foon after my Second Volume came into the World under your Lordship's Patronage] I most humbly beg now to have the Honour of Dedicating it to ship. your Lord Your Lordship will find no Retirement from the Honour and Efteem of Mankind: And whoever may be permitted to appear to have any Share of your Lordship's Favour, will experience it a fure Recommendation to the good Opinion of the World. I fhall in a little Time intreat your Lordship's Acceptance of a Third Volume, and hope for THE PREFACE. T HE Design of this Undertaking is to fet before the Reader a View of the History of the World, from Adam to the Dif folution of the Affyrian Empire, at the Death of Sardanapalus, in the Reigns of Abaz King of Judah, and Pekah King of Ifrael: At this Period, the most Learned Dean Prideaux began his Connection of the Old and New Teftament, and I would bring my Performance down to the Times where his Work begins; hoping, that if I can A 4 fet the Tranfactions of these Ages in a clear Light, my Endeavours may be of fome Service towards forming a Judgment of the Truth and Exactness of the ancient Scripture-History, by fhewing how far the old Fragments of the Heathen Writers agree with it, and how much better and more authentic the Account is, which it gives of Things, where they differ from it. What is now published, is but a small Part of my Defign; but if this meets with that Acceptance, which I hope it may, the remaining Parts fhall foon follow. Chronology and Geography being neceffary Helps to Hiftory, I have taken care to be as exact as I can, in both of them: And that I might give the Reader the cleareft View of the Geography, I have, here and there, added a Map, where I differ in any Particulars from other Writers, or have mentioned any thing, not fo clearly delineated in the Draughts already extant. And as to the Chronology, I have obferved, as I go along, the feveral Years in which the |