Accordmg to all the Chaldean authorities Xisu-
thrus was Noah ; and his predecessors may be
readUy identified with Ae Patriarchs in the line
from Adam to the Flood : except that the
monaxchs in the Lunar line— the race of Cain-
are preferred, as being of the &mily of Ham, which
was that of the Chaldeans and Egyptians. Thus
the most ancient histories with which we have been
familiar, with exception of the Bible— which is a
continuation of the history of the family of Seth, —
are those of the races of Ham and Cain : and thus
sacred and profene history have been kept distinct
from the eLest to recent times. In later times
we have become acquainted with Chinese history ;
and now the Hindu chronology and history, con-
flrmato.7 «, it i. of the Mosaic htoiy andTl^no-
logy, offers itself to be brought into account.
The Bible history is by far the most authen-
tic, detailed, consecutive, and complete. Its object
has been distinct. Its object has been revela-
tion — ^the publication of religion and of truthu
That of the Hindu system and writings has been
indeed the perpetuating of truth, — but truth en-
folded in learned and abstruse enigmas, so as to
conceal it from the common multitude : that of



ANTEDILUVIAN HISTORY. 57

the rest of profane history has been the recording
of worldliness and worldly empires and wars. The
history of religion— which is the proper study and
business of man — confirmed and glorified as it
ultimately will be by all profane histories and tes-
timonies, rightly interpreted, will at length be
accepted and used as the authentic and approved
history of empires and of mankind.
