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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Effects of Incredulity and Credulity-Knowledge supposed to
be Remembrance-Purpose of this Volume-Progress of ra-
tional Belief-Resemblance of Error to Truth-Contagious
Nature of Excitement-Improved State of the Human Mind
in Modern Times
13
CHAPTER II.
Remote Origin of Oracles-Influence of Oracles-Opinions re-
specting them-Cause of the Cessation of Oracles-Supersti-
tion early systematized in Egypt-Boeotia early famous for
Oracles-Origin of the Oracle of Dodona-Ambiguity of
Oracular Responses-Stratagem of a Peasant-Oracles disbe-
lieved by Ancient Philosophers-Cyrus and the Idol Bel-
Source of Fire-Worshipping-Victory of Canopus over Fire-
The Sphinx-Sounds heard from it-Supposed Cause of
them-Mysterious Sounds at Nakous-Frauds of the Priests
of Serapis-The Statue of Memnon-Oracle of Delphi-Its
Origin Changes which it underwent - The Pythoness-
Danger attendant on her office-Tricks played by Heathen
Priests-Origin of the Gordian Knot-The Knot is cut by
Alexander-Ambrosian, Logan or Rocking Stones-Repre-
sentations of them on Ancient Coins-Pliny's Description of
a Logan Stone in Asia-Stones at Sitney, in Cornwall, and
at Castle Treryn-The latter is overthrown, and replaced-
Logan Stones are Druidical Monuments 17
CHAPTER III.
Susceptibility of the Imagination in the East-Mahomet-His
Origin-He assumes the Title of the Apostle of God-Oppo-
sition to him-Revelations brought to Him by the Angel Ga-
briel-His Flight to Medina-Success of his Imposture-At-
tempt to poison him-His Death-Tradition respecting his
Tomb-Account of his Intercourse with Heaven-Sabatai
Sevi, a false Messiah-Superstitious Tradition among the
Jews-Reports respecting the Coming of the Messiah-Sa-
batai pretends to be the Messiah-He is assisted by Nathan
-Follies committed by the Jews-Honours paid to Sabatai
-He embarks for Constantinople-His Arrest-He embraces
Mahometanism to avoid Death-Rosenfeld, a German, pro-
claims himself the Messiah-His knavery-He is whipped
and imprisoned-Richard Brothers announces himself as the
revealed Prince and Prophet of the Jews-He dies in Bed-
lam-Thomas Muncer and his Associates-Their Fate-
Matthias, John of Leyden, and other Anabaptist Leaders-
They are defeated and executed-The French Prophets-
Punishment of them-Miracles at the Grave of the Deacon
Paris-Horrible Self-inflictions of the Convulsionaries-The
Brothers of Brugglen-They are executed-Prophecy of a
Lifeguardsman in London-Joanna Southcott-Her Origin,
Progress, and Death-Folly of her Disciples-Miracles of
Prince Hohenlohe.
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