vourite precept of his Divine Master, when he casts injurious reflections, or denounces anathemas, on those who, with equal since. rity, view the matter in a different light; and, by his want of charity, does more harm to the religion of the Prince of Peace, than he could possibly do good, were he able to convert all mankind to his own orthodox opinions.

On the principle of Fleury, that "every one ought to be believed concerning his own doctrine, and the history of his own sect," I have not only had recourse to various works wherein the principles and practices of the several denominations, sects, and parties, are detailed by themselves and others, and have carefully culled from them whatever seemed applicable to my purpose; but I have also invited to my assistance living authors, or other learned and distinguished characters of most denominations. And, I am happy to say, that there are very few instances in which, on my stating the object and plan of the work, the invitation has not been very readily and cheerfully accepted.

It would give me pleasure, were I at liberty to mention the names of all those

who have either written, or contributed towards, the following account of their respective denominations, both as it would give authenticity and respectability to the work, and as such notice is the very least that I owe them. But, while I must now be satisfied with acknowledging my obligations to them all in general, I feel it my duty to mention here, and I hope I shall be excused for mentioning in particular, two very able and willing contributors in London; the Rev. C. E. A. Schwabe, and Joshua Van Oven, Esq.; the former a learned, respectable, and amiable pastor of the Lutheran Church; and the latter, a learned, distinguished, and worthy member of the Society of German Jews;" an Israelite indeed;" one of many qui tales sunt, utinam essent nostri.

Some of my friends have done me the favour to proffer their assistance, and some of my correspondents have kindly promised to continue theirs, for the improvement of this work; and I will be happy to open a correspondence with others, for the same purpose. I also look up to the public organs of criticism for many useful hints and remarks, of which I will thankfully avail myself, if can

didly communicated; so that, should a second edition be called for, it will most likely be more correct, and less unworthy, in many respects, of the public attention.

That I should be permitted to see another edition, is, I freely admit, what I anxiously wish and desire; for, as the work will most likely survive the author, I would not that any unjust aspersion, cast by him, however unintentionally, on any sect, party, or individual whatever, should remain unwiped away, when the hand that guides this pen shall be mouldering in the dust, and no longer able to erase it. At the same time, I have not the vanity to think, that, through any art or industry of mine, even with all the assistance I shall have, this Display* will be very generally gazed at and admired; and much less, that I shall be able to please all parties; nor have I the folly to attempt it. I am aware that there are some who will think that I am become their

enemy, because

* The word View, which I should have preferred, had it not already been anticipated, could not well be wholly avoided in the title page; but I wish the above, or rather the original title, to be used in all cases, wherein this work is meant, that it may not interfere with that of Hannah Adams, which is now so well known, that it requires no recommendation from me.

I have told them the truth; but, though candid where candour is a duty, I shall never be afraid to "blame where I must," and as I do not admit that I have done such people any injury, or given them any just ground of offence, they need look for no reparation, nor expect that I shall apologise or contend.

Let me be fully convinced of my errors and mistakes; let me be shewn clearly and candidly the "hay and stubble" of my performance, and I will not be backward to gather them into bundles, nor the last to set a match to them, that they may be burnt. But remarks grounded on facts or plain truths, if likely to do more good than harm, I will neither erase nor suppress; nor will I enter into controversy, aware how little is generally gained by it, while it seldom fails that much is lost; and, that there is often more religion in not contending, than there is in that about which we contend. Were we to sit down and consider how we shall account for our quarrels and contentions when at the end of our journey, we should not be so apt to fall out by the way.

I have frequently adopted the sentiments, and sometimes nearly the language, of others, without acknowledging it, partly

to avoid crowding my pages with notes, which are still unavoidably numerous, and partly as, in many instances, I know not, at this day, to whom I am indebted. But no one, surely, will complain that I have been sparing of authorities; nor is it likely that those authors, living or dead, whom I have chiefly consulted, would have grudged me the use that I have made of their writings.

So numerous are the quotations and references in the following work, that some of them must of course be from second-hand; I cannot therefore take upon me to vouch for their being correct in every instance; yet I trust that mistakes of this nature are but few.

I also beg leave to mention here, in justice to those who reviewed in MS. the following views of their respective denominations, that some alterations were thought necessary in several of those articles, after they had received their corrections; at the same time, I am not aware that I have made any alterations or additions, that those gentlemen will not sanction, or that they will disapprove or condemn.

Viewing things as of far more importance than words, I have paid no great attention