¿

A VIEW

OF THE RISE AND FALL

Of the Kingdoms

OF

JUDAH AND ISRAEL;

INTENDED FOR THE USE OF YOUNG PERSONS,

(AFTER THE MANNER OF GOLDSMITH).

BY WILLIAM STEVENS,
Editor of

THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN BRADFORD,
THE REFORMER AND MARTYR.

"They and they only, amongst all mankind,
"Receiv'd the transcript of th' Eternal mind:
"Were trusted with His own engraven laws,
"And constituted guardians of His cause:
"Their's were the prophets their's the priestly call.
"And their's by birth, the SAVIOUR OF US ALL."

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR WHITTAKER, TREACHER, AND CO., AVE MARIA LANE; AND T. STEVENSON, CAMBRIDGE.

1833.

COWPER,-Expostulation.

PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE.

It could hardly be necessary at any time to offer an apology for an attempt, however humble, to illustrate the history of God's peculiar people; and still less for making such an attempt at a period, when the attention of all reflecting Christians, is so anxiously riveted upon the movements of that interesting race.

The author is well aware, however, that there are individuals, and those not a few, who either hold or affect to hold in contempt, the allusions that are so frequently made by others to the descendants of Abraham; but until such individuals can succeed in proving, that the maker of the universe did not invest this nation with peculiar privileges, and that for a great and especial purpose, all such efforts will recoil upon themselves.

In truth, it is totally impossible for any sincere professor of the Christian faith, to be indifferent to whatever relates to the