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PRINTED FOR T. HAMILTON AND R. OGLE; J. OGLE, EDINBURGH;

M. OGLE, AND J. STEVEN & CO GLASGOW;

AND T. JOHNSTON, DUBLIN.

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PREFACE,

THE following Treatise, together with those with which it is accompanied, was written many years ago for my own private amusement and satisfaction. For I then had formed no design of having them published to the world. But since I have been induced to make my thoughts in some other instances. public, it has led me farther than I at first purposed, and given me encouragement to produce these likewise to the world, that if any the least good can result from them, I may. have the happiness of seeing it in some degree take place, The principal subjects which I have undertaken to elucidate, have, I believe, been considered by me in a light quite new. For I do not recollect that any person before has followed the same mode of

illustration. Particularly in respect to the plagues in Egypt, it does not appear that any writer has observed that correspondence which seems to subsist between the offence and the punishment, as well as between the people and their customs. It will afford me great satisfaction if this correspondence should appear universally obvious and precise, and founded in truth. As what I here present to the public is a small part of a large collection, I may possibly, if I live, venture to produce other observations upon similar subjects, and of a like tendency. For my chief labour has been, ever since I have had opportunities of reading, observing, and forming an unbiassed opinion, to do honour to the religion which I profess, and to authenticate the Scriptures upon which it is founded.

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