to the Olympiads. I cannot give
the least assent to the story of Phryxus, and the golden fleece. It seems
to me plain beyond doubt, that there were no such persons as the Grecian
Argonauts: and that the expedition of Jason to Colchis was a fable.

After having cleared my way, I shall proceed to the sources, from whence
the Grecians drew. I shall give an account of the Titans, and Titanic war,
with the history of the Cuthites and antient Babylonians. This will be
accompanied with the Gentile history of the Deluge, the migration of
mankind from Shinar, and the dispersion from Babel. The whole will be
crowned with an account of antient Egypt; wherein many circumstances of
high consequence in chronology will be stated. In the execution of the
whole there will be brought many surprising proofs in confirmation of the
Mosaic account: and it will be found, from repeated evidence, that every
thing, which the divine historian has transmitted, is most assuredly true.
And though the nations, who preserved memorials of the Deluge, have not
perhaps stated accurately the time of that event; yet it will be found the
grand epocha, to which they referred; the highest point to which they could
ascend. This was esteemed the renewal of the world; the new birth of
mankind; and the ultimate of Gentile history. Some traces may perhaps be
discernable in their rites and mysteries of the antediluvian system: but
those very few, and hardly perceptible. It has been thought, that the
Chaldaic, and Egyptian accounts exceed not only the times of the Deluge,
but the aera of the world: and Scaliger has accordingly carried the
chronology of the latter beyond the term of his artificial[6] period. But
upon inquiry we shall find the chronology of this people very different
from the representations which have been given. This will be shewn by a
plain and precise account, exhibited by the Egyptians themselves: yet
overlooked and contradicted by the persons, through whose hands we receive
it. Something of the same nature will be attempted in respect to Berosus;
as well as to Abydenus, Polyhistor, and Appollodorus, who borrowed from
him. Their histories contained matter of great moment: and will afford some
wonderful discoveries. From their evidence, and from that which has
preceded, we shall find, that the Deluge was the grand epocha of every
antient kingdom. It is to be observed, that when colonies made anywhere a
settlement, they ingrafted their antecedent hi