The History of the Heavens

Sketch of this Work,

have thought about this subject; and to set aside the stubborn opinions of many nations regarding this matter. We shall not go seeking what the Caribs, the Greenlanders, or other savage peoples—who, through a long-lasting separation from the body of society Lichaem der samenleevingA phrase referring to the interconnected community of "civilized" nations., have fallen and become degenerate—imagine about this.

But we shall keep to the account of that which has been believed and made common regarding the Origin of the World original: "Oorsprong der Weereldt", and concerning the Heavenly Powers original: "Heemelsche Machten", by those through whom the thread of ancient history could be preserved without breaking; and who, having always constituted a great body of nations united among one another through the bonds of commerce The author argues that trade and interaction are the keys to preserving accurate historical knowledge., [retained] some of the first original