Sykes, rinthur Ashley

A N

ESSAY

ON THE

NATURE, DESIGN, and
ORIGIN,

O F

SACRIFICES.

LONDON:

Printed for J. and P. KNAPTON, at the Crown
in Ludgate-Street. MDCC XLVIII.

1748

(iii)

THE

PREFAC E.

St

ACRIFICES are known to have been in Ufe generally all over the World, from the earliest days to the time when Christianity had made great Progrefs in it: And the Heathen treated Chriftians at firft, as Atheists, and Impious, becaufe They refufed to comply with the ufual religious Cuftoms of the Country in which They lived. The way which the Chriftians took to vindicate themfelves for refusing to facrifice, was, partly to fhew the Weaknefs and Abfurdity of the Heathen way of Worship; and partly to produce Authorities from their Philofophers and Wife Men, who had in their Writings condemned all Animal Sacrifices, or had given Reasons to fhew

A 2

that