very same system which was ultimately perpetuated under the name of
Christianity. We also propose to present the origins and abridged
histories of its two forms, the Jewish, or ancient, and the Roman, or
modern; and to give an account of the conflict between the votaries of
the latter, and the adherents to the established form of worship, which
culminated in the fourth century in the substitution of Christianity as
the state religion of the Roman Empire. We furthermore propose to show
the changes to which the creed and scriptures were subjected during the
Middle Ages, and at the Reformation in the sixteenth century, through
which they assumed the phases as now taught in the theologies,
respectively of Catholicism and Orthodox Protestantism. We also present
an article relative to Freemasonry and Druidism, for the purpose of
showing that, primarily, they were but different forms of the ancient
Astrolatry. We also devote a few pages to the subjects of the Sabbath,
and to that of "Pious Frauds."


Note.--For the matter published in this work, we are principally
indebted to the writings of Robert Taylor, an erudite but recusant
minister of the church of England, who flourished about seventy years
ago, and who, being too honest to continue to preach what, after
thorough investigation, he did not believe, began to give expression to
his doubts by writing and lecturing. Not being able to cope with his
arguments, the clergy, under the charge of the impossible crime of
blasphemy, had him imprisoned for more than two years, during which
time he wrote his great work entitled "The Diegesis," which should be
read by all persons who are investigating the claim of the Christian
religion to Divine authenticity.