HISTORY. nations, both that which knew, and those MODERN which knew not the true God, there was obvious ground and necessity for that distinction; but MODERN HISTORY being understood to signify, exclusively, the history of those modern nations which are the best instructed in the knowledge of the true God, it is manifest, that there is no longer any cause or ground for that former distinction. Q. What conclusion may be reasonably drawn from this consideration? A. We may reasonably draw, from this consideration, the following weighty and pregnant conclusion: THAT, since the History of CHRISTIAN EUROPE is the proper Sequel of SACRED HISTORY, the indications, held forth by DIVINE PROPHECY to guide and determine the view and expectation of the Christian church in its last age, and which plainly relate to the leading events and principal revolutions which should take place within THE CHRISTIAN MODERN HISTORY. CHURCH, must necessarily relate also to upon § 8. OF THE GENERAL DIVISION OF MODERN HISTORY. Q. How is MODERN HISTORY, in MODERN general, to be considered, and how HISTORY. divided? A. Modern History, taken generally and collectively, is to be considered under a twofold aspect; as it is the history of the FOURTH and LAST EMPIRE, and as it is the history of CHRISTENDOM, or of the body of CHRISTIAN NATIONS. And, according to these two relations, it will naturally divide itself into Two principal branches; viz. SECULAR or Political, RELIGIOUS or Ecclesiastical, History; each of which branches will be again divided, into its own subordinate periods. MODERN Q. What will the divisions of the first HISTORY. or Secular branch of modern history chiefly regard? A. The divisions of the secular branch of modern history, will chiefly regard the most eminent Secular character of Modern Europe; considered in the aggregate, as a Body of Empire, and without descending to the separate concerns of the particular nations, or members, which compose it. Q. And what will the divisions of the second or Religious branch chiefly regard? A. They will chiefly regard the most conspicuous Religious character of Modern Europe, considered as the Chief Depositary of the Christian faith. Q. What is the most eminent Secular character of modern Europe, considered as the Body of the Last Empire? A. THE IMPERIAL DIGNITY of ROME, under all its succeeding modifications HISTORY. and revolutions*. Hence Voltaire was MODERN led to observe: " Il est important 66 pour toutes les nations de s'instruire "des révolutions de L'EMPIRE. Les "histoires de France, d'Angleterre, "d'Espagne, de Pologne, se renferment "dans leurs bornes. L'EMPIRE est un "theâtre plus vaste; ses prééminences, 66 ses droits sur ROME et sur L'ITALIE; "tant de rois, tant de souverains qu'il " a crées, tant de dignités qu'il a con"férées dans d'autres états, ces assem"blées presque continuelles de tant de "princes; tout cela forme une scène "auguste, même dans les siècles les "moins policés †.” Q. And what is the most conspicuous Religious character of modern Europe, *" MAJOR principatus hujus ævi ROMANA DIGNITAS.-The GREATEST, or FIRST, principality of "this world is THE ROMAN DIGNITY!" Tertull. adv. Marcion. v. 6. + Annales de l'Empire. Dedication. |