Abury

PREFACE.

We may draw this general reflection from the present work: that the true religion has primarily existed in our island since the repopulating of mankind after the flood. It is here that we achieved the best reform from that universal corruption of Christianity, Roman Catholicism original: "popery". Here, God’s ancient people, the Jews, live in the most peaceful circumstances found anywhere on earth, and from this place, they are most likely to encounter the conversion intended for them. If we could only reform ourselves from the abominable public profanation of the Sabbath and the habit of common swearing, we might hope for what many learned men have predicted: that here, the glory of Christ’s kingdom on earth was to be revealed.

I have made it sufficiently clear that the Apollo of the ancients was actually Phut, the son of Ham original: "Cham"; in the Bible, Phut is a son of Ham and grandson of Noah.. I have also shown the reader how he may form a perfect idea of this man’s appearance by looking at the countless monuments of antiquity still to be seen. I have pursued that fascinating topic through many of the ancient patriarchs before and after Phut, so as to recover their heroic images original: "effigies", or at least their likenesses. I hope that I may find an opportunity to publish these at some point.

I shall conclude my preface with a piece of old poetry, consisting of several vigorous original: "nervous"; in this context, it means strong or robust in style. lines written in a rather impressive style. These were written on our subject a hundred years ago by Samuel Daniel, a member of the household original: "domestick" of Queen Anne, the wife of King James I. The curious reader will observe a remarkable delicacy in the sentiments throughout: a struggle between time and the greatness of these ancient works, matched by the effort of written language to recover and preserve the memory of them—which their founders, though well-qualified to do so, neglected.

O Blessed letters Here, "letters" refers to written language and literature., that combine in one
All ages past; and make one live with all!
Make us consult with those who now are gone,
And the dead living unto counsel call!
By you the unborn shall have communion
Of what we feel, and what does us befall.

Soul of the world, knowledge, without you,
What has the earth that truly glorious is?
Why should our pride make such a stir to be,
To be forgot? What good is like to this:
To do something worthy of the writing, and to write
Something worthy of the reading, and the world's delight!