The Assyrian, or first great Empire. Nimrod-Semiramis - Sardanapalus CHAPTER IV. The Call of Abraham. 121 17 CHAPTER V. History of Egypt. Origin of its inhabitants-Sesostris-Pyramids - Necho CHAPTER VI. The Exodus of Israel. Israel's typical character-The law. Preparation for Christ's Church 27 CHAPTER VII. Esrael—its Judges, Prophets, and Kings. Samson-Samuel-Schools of the prophets-SolomonCommerce of Tyre-Petra-Edom-Ports on the Red Sea-Balbec and Tadmor-Temple-Solomon's sins and punishment PAGE 31 CHAPTER VIII. Israel and Judah. Jeroboam-New mode of worship-Ahab-Elijah - CHAPTER IX. Assyrian Empire restored. Hezekiah-Isaiah-Prophets-Chaldees - Babylon—its commerce and splendour-Captivity of Judah-Tyre -Apries-Prophecy of the Five Empires CHAPTER X. Persian, or Second great Empire. Cyrus-Croesus-Oracle at Delphi-Babylon taken- CHAPTER XI. Grecian, or Third great Empire. Office of the Third Empire-Character of the Greeks 43 49 63 CONTENTS. Sparta-Object and measures of Lycurgus--Xerxes' expedition against Greece-Numbers of his armyThermopyla-Athenian character - Solon 1 Pisis tratus Wooden walls-Themistocles - Salamis Platea-Consequences of the Persian expedition ix PAGE 78 CHAPTER XII. Athenian Attempt at establishing the Grecian Empire. Spartans unfit for rule-Aristides Athens fortified · Allies rendered dependent Athenian and Spartan alliance - Peloponnesian war-Brasidas — Alcibiades -Sicilian expedition-Egospotamos- Athens taken 93 arts CHAPTER XIII. The spiritual Kingdom of the Grecian Philosophers. Attempt to improve man's character-Poetry and the - their little effect - Plague at Athens - The Sophists-Pythagoras-Ionic school-Socrates-the four schools of his disciples-Plato-Philosophy fails of raising human nature CHAPTER XIV. Retreat of the Ten Thousand-Thebes aims at the State of Persia-Ezra-Old Testament completed-Cyrus 100 109 Philip of Macedon - Alexander-Daniel's prophecy Invasion of Asia-Battle of Granicus-Issus - Tyre 115 CONTENTS. xi Faith of the Apostles-Day of Pentecost-Gospel first preached to Jews-Gentile converts-Council at Je- rusalem-Two orders of ministers besides the college Difficulties of the first successors of the Apostles - Our Lord's presence with His Church-Unity the sustain- ing principle of His kingdom-St. Clement-St. Ig- natius-Reasons for unity-maintained by community in worship and ordinances-Martyrdom of St. Igna- tius-The Christian city-Christian patriotism-He- gesippus Gnostics opposed by testimony of early Church-Irenæus-Great importance of Church-sys- tem in the infancy of Christ's kingdom-The Church of England appeals to its authority-Rapid advance of |