THE SACRED AND PROFANE HISTORY OF THE WORLD CONNECTED, FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD TO THE DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE AT THE AND TO THE DECLENSION OF THE KINGDOM OF JUDAHAN ISRAEL PEKAH. WITH THE TREATISE ON THE CREATION AND FALL OF MAN BY SAMUEL SHUCKFORD, M. A. RECTOR OF SHELTON IN THE COUNTY OF NORFOLK. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. OXFORD, AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. MDCCCXLVIII. Clar.. Press 1. c. 6o. THE PREFACE. THE HE design of this undertaking is to set before the reader a view of the history of the world, from Adam to the dissolution of the Assyrian empire, at the death of Sardanapalus, in the reigns of Ahaz king of Judah and Pekah king of Israel. At this period the most learned dean Prideaux began his Connection of the Old and New Testament; and I would bring my performance down to the times where his work begins, hoping that, if I can set the transactions of these ages in a clear light, my endeavours may be of some service towards forming a judgment of the truth and exactness of the ancient Scripture-history, by shewing 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 design; but if this meets with that acceptance which I hope it may, the remaining parts shall soon follow. Chronology and geography being necessary helps to history, I have taken care to be as exact as I can in both of them; and that I might give the reader the clearest 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 so clearly delineated in the draughts already extant. And as to the chronology, I have observed, as I go along, the several years in which the particulars I treat of happened; and where any doubts or difficulties may arise, I have endeavoured to clear them, by giving my rea |