"For though there be that are called gods. to us there is but one God, LONDON: JACKSON AND WALFORD, 18, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD. 1838. PREFACE. SOME explanation is due to my friends, with regard to the length of time that has elapsed since this work was first announced as in preparation for the press. The plan was drawn up, and the first two chapters were written, several years ago; and as my original intention was to exhibit little more than a classified synopsis of the generic divisions and specific subdivisions of the Religious World, agreeably to the principles laid down in the introductory chapter, I had imagined that this might be comprised within the limits of a very small volume, without its being more meagre of information than Evans's "Sketch of all Religions." That volume has had the singular good fortune to obtain extensive circulation on the credit of its attractive title, without the slightest portion of literary merit, or any other intrinsic recommendation; and its success amply proves that a well-written work upon the same subject was a desideratum. It is remarkable that English literature, rich as it is in every department, but more especially in b |