tyrants who have flattered or supported them, they have quoted this imposition as their authority. Whenever they have opposed any system or any measure, which they considered would be inimical to their interests, or subversive of their power, they have quoted this imposition as their authority. And the sooner this imposition is removed—the sooner the few good seeds which it may contain are extracted from it, and the immense mass of chaff is cast into oblivion, the better will it be for the amelioration and progression of man. Perhaps the expression of such opinions as these may be painful to the feelings of many excellent individuals. For this I am truly sorry, as my object is, not to cause pain or uneasiness, but to expose error and imposture. The time has now arrived when truth must come out, when truth must be spoken, "without mystery, mixture of error, or fear of man." Too long, indeed, has this precious jewel been sacrificed to the paltry predilections of interest and prejudice. Too long have we been tossed in the dark and unfathomable gulf of bigotry and intolerance; we must now make our way to the expansive and unruffled ocean of reason and inquiry, and there, free from the storms of persecution, and the squalls of denunciation, proceed, on our onward course, in security and felicity. R. C.

Contents

PREFACE.

IMMATERIALITY.

OMNIPRESENCE.

OMNIPOTENCE.

OMNISCIENCE.

MUNIFICENCE.

IMPARTIALITY.

IMMUTABILITY.

INCOMPREHENSIBILITY.

PASSAGES IMMORAL AND OBSCENE.

GOD.

MOSES.

DAVID.

SOLOMON.

JOSHUA.

EZEKIEL.

ABRAHAM.

ISAAC.

NOAH.

SAMSON.

LOT.

RUTH.

RACHEL.

POTIPHAR'S WIFE.

REUBEN.

AMNON.

ABSALOM.

SHECHEM.

CHRIST.

PETER.

PAUL.

BARNABAS AND PAUL.

JOHN.

GENERAL.

PASSAGES ABSURD AND UNNATURAL.

PASSAGES CONTRADICTORY.