Chapter IV

_This Chapter begins with the Original of Idolatry, as a Preliminary to
the Adoration of_ SERPENTS, _under three Sections_.

SECT. I.

As introductory to the Divinity of Serpents, I shall make a brief Inquiry into the Original of sacred Images, and Idol-Worship; the first Period of which is hard to trace. Some make _Cain_ the first Founder of it, because of his early Apostacy from the true Religion; which is not very improbable, since ’tis said, _He went out from the Presence of the Lord...._ He grew more wicked, and gave himself up to all sorts of Violence[365].

Footnote 365:

See _Cluverius_, and Dr. _Cumberland_.

That the old World was guilty of Idolatry, some gather from _Gen._ iv. 26. which they say will bear this Reading——_Then Men prophaned, calling on the Name of the Lord, that is, by setting up Idols_: Upon which some of the Rabbins paraphrase thus, viz. _Then they began to call Idols by the Name of the Lord_: With which agrees the _Jerusalem Targum_, that says, _That was the Age, in the days of which they began to err, and made themselves Idols, and called their Idols by the Name of the Word of the Lord_[366].

Footnote 366:

_Schindl._

So they understand _Gen._ vi. 11. _The Earth was corrupt_, that is _idolatrous_. In defence of this Gloss, they quote the _Idolatry_ of the _golden Calf_, which is expressed by this very Form of Speech, viz. _The People had corrupted themselves_. We read _Gen._ iv. 26. _Then Men began to call upon the Name of the Lord_. There is no room to doubt, but they called upon God before; the Particle _then_ seems to refer to _Enos_, which is the next Antecedent: therefore ’tis said, They now applied themselves to the Knowledge of the Stars, which they apprehended were erected for the Government of the World, and consequently might be their Duty to adore them as God’s Representatives.

But the general Opinion is, that Idolatry did not begin till after the Deluge, and that perhaps the Deluge might be one Occasion of it; for the old World, as some suppose, was drown’d for _Atheism_——which coming to the Knowledge of _Noah_’s mediate Successors, they run into the other Extreme, _chusing rather to have many Gods than no God_.

_IDOLATRY_ is of a more antient Date than _Image-Worship_: To see Men kneeling before a piece of Wood or Stone, has something so low and mean in it, that Men were not immediately brought to that abject and scandalous piece of Worship. The Sun, Moon, and Stars, were their _natural Gods_, and ador’d before deify’d Men, who were their _animated Gods_.

This Deification of Creatures, seems to begin about the time of the _Confusion at Babel_, or the Dispersion immediately consequent thereupon, particularly in the Family of _Nimrod_, the Son of _Cush_, Grandson of _Noah_. May not we date the _Original of Paganism_ from that remarkable Person? ’Tis the Conjecture of some, that _Nimrod_ was the first Man that was deify’d, and probably for the important Service he did to his Country, as a _mighty Hunter_, in destroying wild Beasts that otherwise would soon have devour’d the Inhabitants, which were not very numerous in those days. ’Tis certain, that such Benefactors to Mankind were rank’d among the Gods. If so, who will pretend to say, _our modern Fox-Hunters don’t carry one Characteristic of Divinity about them_?

Some think that the true Religion was universal for about four hundred Years after the Deluge, because it does not appear from _Abram_’s Traverse thro’ _Mesopotamia_, _Canaan_, _Philistia_, _Egypt_, _&c._ that those Countries were Idolaters. Others apprehend _Abram_ himself was originally an Idolater, at least that Idolatry had overspread the Nations in his time, for which they quote _Joshua_ xxiv. 2. _Your Fathers ... even Terah the Father of Abraham ... served other Gods_. It’s evident from hence, that _Terah_ had fallen into Idolatry, and some are of Opinion, that _Abram_ himself was an Idolater, till God made him sensible of the Vanity of Idol-worship, and that it was thro’ him that his Father _Terah_ was brought under the same Conviction, by this Device, _viz._

The _Jews_ say that _Terah_ was not only an Idolater, but also a Carver, and Dealer in Images and Idols; that one day when he went a Journey, he left _Abram_ to take care of the Shop; but _Abram_ being already convinced of the Sinfulness of Idols, ask’d all that came to buy _Idol-Gods_ of him, _How old are you?_ They told him their Age; and he replied to them, _This God that you would buy and worship, is younger than you are; it was made but the other day, and of contemptible Matter, therefore believe what I say, and renounce this vain Worship_. The _Buyers_ struck with Confusion at these Reproaches, went away without buying, asham’d of their Stupidity[367].

Footnote 367:

Fa _Calmet_ under _Terah_, vol. xiii.

Q. _What might move Men to the first Idolatry?_

Perhaps it might be a _strong Attachment to the Senses_, which they made their sovereign Judges in Spirituals: It was hard for vulgar Heads in those Days of Darkness to elevate their Thoughts above sensible Objects.

Another Reason, may be the _Pride of the human Mind_; that is not satisfied with rational plain Truths, but will adulterate them with foolish Imaginations: Hence it was that they would have such Objects of Worship, as might immediately strike their sensible Powers; nothing would serve their Turn but a Divinity visible to the Eye, therefore they brought down the Gods to the Earth, and represented them under certain Images, which by degrees commenced inferior Deities.

The _Egyptian Priests_ not being able to persuade the _People_, that there were any _Gods_ or _Spirits_ superior to Men, were constrained to call down Demons, or Spirits, and lodge them in Statues, and then bring forth those Statues to be visible Objects of Adoration, and from hence sprung Idolatry.

Among the Pagans were various Opinions about religious Images. _Some_ looked upon them as only Representatives of the true God, as _Seneca_, a Stoick Philosopher, and _Plato_ a Native of _Athens_, and a noted Academick.

_OTHERS_ said, they did not adore material Images, but the Gods in them, into which they were drawn by virtue of their Consecration, or, in a more modern Language, their Canonization[368].

Footnote 368:

_Arnobius_, lib. vi.

_SOME_ were of Opinion, that after the Consecration of Images, the Gods actually incorporated with them, or were animated by them, as Man’s Body is by the Soul[369]. The vulgar Heathen paid their Adoration to Images as if they were real Gods; which monstrous Practice was ridiculed by the most sensible Pagans, as appears farther on[370].

Footnote 369:

_Trismegistus_, a learned _Egyptian_, a great Philosopher, a great
Priest, and a great King.

Footnote 370:

See _Lactantius_, lib. ii.

The Use and Worship of Images has been long, and still is controverted. The _Lutherans_ condemn the _Calvinists_ for breaking the Images in the Churches of the Catholicks; and at the same time they condemn the Romanists (who are professed Image-Worshippers) as Idolaters. The modern _Jews_ condemn all Images, and suffer no Pictures or Figures in their Houses, much less in their Synagogues, or Places of Worship.

The _Mahometans_ have a perfect Aversion to all Images. This is it that made them destroy most of the beautiful Monuments of Antiquity, both sacred and profane, at _Constantinople_.

The old noble _Romans_ preserved the Images of their Ancestors with no little Care, and had them carried in Procession in their Funerals and Triumphs.

SECT. II.

This Part entertains us with various Instances of Pagan Deifications, _viz._ of Men, Beasts, and Things without Life.

I. _MEN transformed into Gods._

I Begin with their _deified Men_, that is, _dead Men_, who being canonized, past for _reputed Gods_. Note here, some are of opinion, that the word _God_, among the Heathen, did not mean the uncreated eternal Being, but some _most excellent superior Nature_; and accordingly, they gave the Appellation of _Gods_ to _all Beings_ of a Rank higher, and more perfect than Man.

The _principal Gods_ among the antient Heathens were _Jupiter_, _Mars_, _Mercury_, _Neptune_, _Apollo_, _Juno_, _Vesta_, _Minerva_, _&c._ The _next sort of Gods_ were called _Demy-Gods_, or _Gods adopted_; and these were Men canonized and deify’d. Now, as the _greater Gods_ had possession of Heaven in their _own Right_, so these _lesser Gods_ had it by _Donation_, being translated into Heaven, because they were Men renowned for their Virtues, and had lived as Gods upon Earth; and these at first were called _Teraphim_.

The first certain Account of these we have in _Genesis_, where ’tis said, _Rachel_ had _stoln her Father’s Images_. Chap. xxxi. 19. the _Teraphim_ of her Father in the _Hebrew_, which _Laban_, (ii. 30.) calls his _Gods_, Hebr. _Eloha_.

The word _Teraphim_ is _Hebrew_, others say _Egyptian_: Be that as it will, we find it about thirteen times in our Bible, and is commonly interpreted _Idols_, _Images_, _sacred_, _superstitious Figures_. _Spencer_ maintains the word to be _Chaldee_, and that those Images were borrowed from the _Amorites_, _Chaldeans_, or _Syrians_, and that the _Egyptian Serapis_ is the same thing with _Teraphim_ of the _Chaldeans_.

A Learned _Jew_ says the _Teraphim_ were in human Shape, and that when raised upright, they spoke at certain Hours, and under certain Constellations, by the Influence of the celestial Bodies. _R. David de Pomis ... Cyclopædia._

This _Rabbinical Fable_ seems to be grounded on _Zech._ x. 2. _The Idols_ (Hebr. _Teraphim_) _have spoken Vanity...._ Some of the learned _Jews_ will have it to denote the Knowledge of Futurity, and for this Signification they quote _Ezek._ xxi. 21. _The King of Babylon stood ... at the Head of the two Ways ... he consulted with Images_; with _Teraphim_, says the _Hebrew_.

The same _Rabbi_ adds, that to make the _Teraphim_ they kill’d a first-born Child, clove his Head, season’d it with Salt and Oil; that they wrote on a Plate of Gold the Name of some impure Spirit, laid it under the Tongue of the Dead, placed the Head against the Wall, lighted Lamps before it, prayed to it, and it talk’d with them.

Others hold, that the _Teraphim_ were brazen Instruments which pointed out the Hours of future Events, as directed by the Stars.—Some think that the _Teraphim_ were Figures or Images of a Star engraven on a sympathetic Stone, or Metal corresponding to the Star, in order to receive its Influences: To these Figures, under certain Aspects of the Stars, they ascribe extraordinary Effects.

This Talismanical Opinion, says a Learned Pen[371], appears the most probable.... All the Eastern People are still much addicted to this Superstition of _Talismans_. The _Persians_ call them _Telesin_, a Word approaching to _Teraphim_. In those Countries no Man is seen without them, and some are even loaded with them. They hang them to the Necks of Animals, and Cages of Birds, as Preservatives against Evils. Such were the _Samothracian Talismans_, which were pieces of Iron, formed into certain Images and set in Rings....

Footnote 371:

Father _Dom. Calmet_.

The _Labanic Images_ are supposed to be the most antient, if not the first religious Images, made of some precious Metal, and had their Birth in _Laban_’s Country, that is, _Chaldea_, or _Mesopotamia_.

From _Laban_’s History, it seems as if these _Teraphim_ were Pictures or Images of certain Persons deceased; that is, they were a sort of Idols, or superstitious Figures venerated by them as _Demy-Gods_. That they were such artificial Portraitures of Men, is evident from that Instance in _Michal_, who, to deliver _David_ her Husband from bloody Assassins that threaten’d his Life, laid an _Image in his Bed_, a _Teraphim_, says the _Hebrew_, that is, a material Image, probably a Figure of Wood, or Sticks hastily made up, drest in Man’s Clothes, to make those sent by King _Saul_ to apprehend him, believe he was sick.

Why does _Laban_ call them his Gods? Very probably because he believed they retain’d their Affection for Mankind in the invisible World, and being rank’d among the Gods, might be serviceable to his Family, therefore adopted them to be Guardians of his House. They were only his _domestick Gods_, and not the established Gods of the Country; and ’tis very likely they might be the Images of _Noah_ and his _Sons_; or some other illustrious Ancestors, whom he had chosen for his _Tutelary Gods_.

The Scripture mentions another sort of _Teraphim_, sometimes consulted by the _Jews_ as an Oracle, not imagining that thereby they abandon’d the Worship of the true God. Such was the _Teraphim_ that _Micha_ made and set up in his House, and to which he appointed a _Priest_ of the _Levitical Race_, with an _Ephod_ or Sacramental Garment, by the Influence of which he flatter’d himself that God would bless his House. This probably might be some _Hieroglyphical Figure_, to which the superstitious _Jews_ attributed the Virtue of an Oracle, and the Power of foretelling Things to come: Hence speaking Teraphims.

From these _Teraphim_ came the _Lares_, or the Household Gods of the old _Romans_, who before the Laws of the Twelve Tables, used to bury the Dead in their Houses; from whence arose that great Veneration they had for their _Lares_ and _Penates_, a kind of domestick Divinities, worship’d in Houses, and esteem’d Protectors of Families, which were nothing else but the supposed Ghosts of those who formerly had belonged to the Family, whom they represented by Images, which they placed in the Chimney-Corner, or near their Doors.

These were also look’d upon as Guardians of the Highways, near to which their Images were fix’d for the Benefit of Travellers, therefore call’d _Dii Viales_, Gods of the Roads. ’Tis said by the Prophet, _The King of Babylon stood at the parting of the Way_, and consulted _with the Images_; with the _Teraphim_, says the _Hebrew_, _Ezek._ xxi. 21. which the _Jewish_ Interpreters say were prophetick Images, endued with the Gift of Prediction; so far from being mere Idols, that they gave out Oracles, and foretold Things to come.

Some think _Laban_’s _Teraphim_ to be such, and that _Rachel_, having observed how her Father did divine by them, and fearing, by consulting with them, he might know which way _Jacob_ went, and follow after and murder him; to prevent so fatal a Catastrophe, she took away his _Oracles_.

Those sacred Images might, at first, be made in honour of departed Relatives, or illustrious Persons; but by degrees degenerated into religious Adoration. Thus the _Manes_ of the Dead were worship’d by them under the Figure of their _Teraphim_, in some place of the House, and probably where they had deposited the Remains of their Ancestors, as some think.

The _Lares_ were also called _Penates_: To these they paid religious Homage with Sacrifices; so the _Roman Satirist_ says, and calls these images his _dear little House-Gods_; and then observes, that they were crown’d with Garlands of Flowers in Summer, and in Winter with Shaving of Horns colour’d. To these _Waxen-Gods_ the _Romans_ addrest themselves with Offerings of Frankincense and Cakes[372]....

Footnote 372:

Oh parvi nostrique Lares quos thure minuto
Hic nostrum placabo, Jovem Laribusque paternis
Thura dabo, atque omnes violæ jactabo colores
Cuncta nitent——

_Juvenal. Sat._ ix. _v._ 137. & _Sat._ xii. _v._ 89.

They were supposed to be the Spirits of such, who had lived well on the Earth, and in consequence of it, were happy; so on the other hand, those who lived ill here, did after Death wander up and down in Horror, and were supposed, by the Vulgar, to be Hobgoblins, call’d _Lemures_, _i. e._ restless Ghosts of departed Spirits, who return to the Earth to terrify the Living.

These are the same with _Larvæ_, which the Antients imagined to wander round the World, to frighten good People, and plague the bad. All these were imagin’d to be the Ghosts of the Dead: They pray’d to the Good for Protection, and sacrificed to the Evil to pacify their Rage: For this reason they had their _Lemuria_ or _Lemuralia_ at _Rome_, where on the 9th of _May_, a Feast was solemnized in honour of the _Lemures_, and to pacify the _Manes_ of the Dead, especially those who died without Burial, to prevent their giving disturbance to the Living.

The first _Men_ that were _deified_, or made Gods, are supposed to be the Heads of Families, Founders of Empires, and Benefactors of Provinces——who, after their decease, were highly reverenced. _Noah_ and his Sons seem to be the first and chief animated Deities of the Pagans, under the Names of _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Neptune_ and _Pluto_; hence _Demons_, another Name given to Spirits, which were supposed to appear to Mortals, with intention to do them Good or Hurt.

The first Notion of Demons, ’tis said, sprung from _Chaldea_, thence it spread among the _Persians_, _Egyptians_.... _Pythagoras_ and _Thales_ were the first that introduced _Demons_ into _Greece_, where _Plato_ fell in with the Notion, which he explains thus, _viz._

... By _Demons_, he understood Spirits inferior to Gods, and yet superior to Men, which inhabiting the middle Region of the Air, kept up the Communication between the Gods and Men, carrying up the _Prayers_ and Offerings of Men to the Gods, and bringing down the _Will_ of the Gods to Men. He allow’d of none but good ones, tho’ his Disciples (finding themselves unable to account for the Origin of Evil) adopted another kind of Demons, who were Enemies to Man[373].

Footnote 373:

_Gale_’s _Court of the Gentiles_, part I. chap. viii.

The Apocryphal Book of _Enoch_ abounds with the Names of Angels and Devils; but that Book is not of any great Antiquity, tho’ the Prophecy be: it does not appear to have been known by the antient _Jews_. St. _Jude_ is the first that cited it. The Authority which this spurious Book of _Enoch_ has received from some of the Antients, is the reason of our meeting with several of its Opinions, scatter’d in their Writings. _Ibid._

_LACTANTIUS_, one of the most eloquent Authors of his time, (and therefore called the _Christian Cicero_) was of Opinion there were two sorts of Demons, celestial and terrestrial[374]: The _celestial_ are the fallen Angels, who having been seduced by the Prince of Devils, engaged themselves in impure Amours; the _terrestrial_ are they who issued from the former, as Children from their Parents: These last, who are neither Men nor Angels, but a Medium between the two Natures; were not plunged into Hell, neither were their Fathers admitted into Heaven: The terrestrial Angels are impure Spirits, and Authors of all the Evils committed on Earth[375].

Footnote 374:

_Chambers_’s _Cyclopæd._ _Calmet_’s _Hist. Dict._ vol. i. p. 434.

Footnote 375:

_Lactantius_, lib. ii. cap. 14. _Lugd._ _Bat._ 1652.

Many of the Antients have allotted to every Man an Evil Angel, who is continually laying Snares for him, and inclining him to Evil, as his Good Angel does to what is Good. The _Jews_ have still the same Sentiments at this day. Another _Father_ thinks, that every Vice has its Evil Angel, presiding over it; as the Demon of Avarice, the Demon of Pride, of Uncleanness[376]....

Footnote 376:

_Origen._ Homil. xv. in Josh. _Calmet._ ibid.

In _Pagan Theology_, nothing more common than those good and evil Genii, and the same superstitious Notion got among the _Israelites_, by Commerce with the _Chaldeans_; but I don’t apprehend that by Demon, they meant the Devil, or a wicked Spirit, tho’ it be taken under that Idea by the Evangelists, and also some modern _Jews_[377].

Footnote 377:

_Cyclopædia._

We are not without some Remains of those antient Representations: Among the various Rarities in the _Musæum_ at _Leyden_ in _Holland_, is the Effigies in Sculpture of _Osiris_, the _Egyptian God_; ’tis made of Wood, and now almost consum’d with Age: There are three other _Egyptian_ Idols of Stone; an Image of _Isis_ (who married _Osiris_, King of the Country) giving suck to her Orr. Another Effigies of _Isis_, the _Egyptian Goddess_, upon a little _Egyptian_ Coffer, containing the Heart of an _Egyptian_ Prince embalm’d therein.

The antient Pagans, had almost as many _Goddesses_ as _Gods_; such were _Juno_, the _Goddess of Air_, _&c._ Queen of Heaven, and of the Gods; was represented sitting on a Throne with a Crown of Gold on her Head: This was the Patroness of the female Sex. Every Woman had her _Juno_, or Guardian; as every Man had his _Genius_. She was the Goddess of Marriages, which were not deem’d lawful without the Parties first addrest her. One Branch of her Office was to attend them in Labor, when they pray’d, _Help, Juno Lucina_[378].

Footnote 378:

_Juno Lucina fer opem._

She was ador’d by all Nations; her Temple was open on the Top and had no Doors, it being impious to think of confining the Gods to a narrow Inclosure. Yea, many of the Antients would erect no devotional Temples, from a Persuasion that the whole World is the Temple of God. The _Sicyonians_ would build no Temple to their Goddess _Coronis_: Nor would the _Athenians_ erect a Statue to the Goddess _Clemency_, who they said was to live in the _Hearts of Men_, not _within Stone-Walls_. The Goddesses were numerous, but I shall add no more.

They did not only enroll _Men_ and _Women_ among their Gods, but they had also _Hermaphrodite-Gods_. Thus _Minerva_, according to several of the Learned, was both Man and Woman, and worshipped as such under the Appellation of _Lunus & Luna_. _Mithras_, the _Persian Deity_, was both God and Goddess; there were Gods of Virtue, Vice, Time, Place, Death ... Infancy. Not Men only, but every thing that relates to Mankind, has also been deified, as Infancy, Age, Death, Labor, Rest, Sleep, Virtues, Vices, Time, Place.... Infancy alone had a numerous Train of Deities. They also ador’d the Gods of Health, Love, Fear, Pain, Indignation, Shame, Renown, Prudence, Art, Science, Fidelity, Liberty, Money, War, Peace, Victory....

Thus we have seen, that nothing more common among Pagans, than to place Men among the Number of Deities; yea, some of them would not wait for their Deification till Death. Thus _Nebuchadnezzar_, King of _Babylon_, procured his _Image to be worshipped_ while he was living. Thus _Augustus_ had Altars erected and Sacrifices offered to him while alive. He had Priests called _Augustales_, and Temples at _Lyons_, and several other Places. He was the first _Roman_ who carried Idolatry to such a pitch: Having in a most respectful manner view’d the embalm’d Body of _Alexander the Great_, was ask’d, if he would see _Ptolemy_’s also? he answer’d, _His Curiosity was to see a King, not a Man_. His Favourite Poet complements him with the Title of God[379]. Yea, the _Ethiopians_ deem’d all their Kings _Gods_.

Footnote 379:

——Deus nobis hæc otia fecit.

II. _Inanimate Things turn’d into Gods._ Things without Life were made into Gods by the Heathens: The Sun, Moon, and Stars seem to be the first Idols, or false Gods, to whom they paid a divine Regard. _Possidonius_ defines a _Star_, a _divine Body_. The _Zabii_ erected Images to the Stars, which they fancied to be so many Gods, and that they influenced the Images consecrated to them; yea, and communicated the prophetick Spirit to Men.

The _Sun_ and _Moon_ were by the idolatrous _Israelites_ called the _King_ and _Queen_ of Heaven, and the Stars were supposed (as it were) to be their Militia, form’d for their Guards, with which they were always surrounded.

_PHILO_ of _Alexandria_, (called _Philo_ the _Jew_, a _Platonick_ Philosopher) imputes to the Stars a great part of whatever happens on the Earth; and says, they are not only Animals, but even most pure Spirits; that our Air is replete with Animals and Spirits, which are continually descending to animate Bodies. He had borrow’d these odd Notions from his Master _Plato_, Chief of the Academicks. _Origen_ one of the Fathers, who flourish’d in the third Century, was guilty of the same Mistake[380].

Footnote 380:

_Philo Leg. Alleg. Origen._ t i. _Maimon. in Calmet._ under the word
_Star_.

The sacred Books, in some places, seem to ascribe Knowledge to the _Stars_, when they praised God at the beginning of the World, _Job_ xxxviii. 7. but the Stars were not then created, therefore it’s generally supposed they were _Angels_. Since then the Sun, Moon and Stars are excited to praise the Lord; the Moon withdrew its Light, and the Sun stopt its Course at the Command of _Joshua_ ... and perhaps one reason of their strange Opinions about the heavenly Bodies, might be owing to these and the like Expressions; not knowing that these Words were meerly popular, and not to be understood literally, for then we must say that the Earth, the Trees, the Waters, are animated, since we find in Scripture some Expressions that would insinuate as much.

The _Arabians_ who sprung from _Ishmael_, worshipped the Sun, Moon and Stars, in which they were conducted by their Priests who were cloathed in white Vestments, wearing Mitres and Sandals, which at first were only Soles tied to the Feet with Strings. In Authors that speak of ecclesiastical Rites, and Ornaments, we find the word _Sandals_ to signify a valuable kind of Shoes, worn by the _Prelates at Solemnities_[381].

Footnote 381:

_Benedictus Baudovinus de Calceo Antiquo._

We find _Sandals_ also used by the Ladies, very different in form: When _Judith_ went to the Camp of _Holofernes_, she put _Sandals_ on her Feet, at the sight of which he was captivated; for ’tis said, _Her Sandals ravish’d his Eyes_. These were a magnificent sort of Stockens, like Buskins, of an extraordinary Beauty[382], and were proper only to the Ladies of Condition, who generally had Slaves to carry them.

Footnote 382:

_Judith_ x. 4.

_N. B._ The real _Buskin_ was the _Cothurnus_, a very high Shoe rais’d on Soals of Cork, wore by the ancient Actors in Tragedy, to make them appear taller, and more like the Heroes they represented, most of whom were supposed to be Giants.

The _Persians_ had no Temples, Altars, nor Images, holding such little Things improper for the high Gods. Therefore they worshipp’d upon the Top of Hills, where they offer’d Sacrifices to the Sun, Moon, and Stars. The _Babylonians_ adored the Sun, to which the King offer’d every Day a white Horse richly furnish’d: The Sun was in high Esteem among the _Phenicians_, whose Priests were crown’d with Gold. The _Tartars_ and _Cathaians_ worship the Sun, and Stars, to which they offer the first Fruits of their Meat every Morning before they eat and drink themselves. They have divers Monasteries of Idols, to whom they dedicate their Children.

In _Nova Zembla_ there is no Religion prescrib’d by Law, but they worship the _Sun_, so long as ’tis with them, and the Moon and North-Star in its absence. In _China_ are great Numbers of sacred Temples, where the Priests have so much Power over their Gods, that they may beat them when they don’t answer their Expectation: Their _chief_ Gods are the _Sun_, _Moon_, and _Stars_, where they are not christianis’d.

In the _Philippine Islands_, the Natives worship the _Stars_, which they hold to be the _Children_ of the _Sun_ and _Moon_: Their Priests, for the most part, are Women. The _Japonians_ worship an Image, with three Faces, by which they mean, Sun, Moon, and the elementary World[383].

Footnote 383:

_Acosta_, and _Jesuits_ Ep. in _R. Oliver_. _Noort_’s Navigation.

In _America_ their chief Deities are the Sun and Moon; which they honour with Dances and Songs. In _Virginia_ and _Florida_, when they eat, drink, and sacrifice, they use to throw up towards the Sun, some part of their Food: The _Spaniards_ taking Advantage of this Superstition, made the poor ignorant People believe they were Messengers sent to them from the Sun; whereupon they submitted to the _Spanish_ Yoke. _Hacluyt_, _ibid._ At _Mexico_, when they sacrificed a Man, they pull’d out his _Heart_, and offer’d it to the _Sun_.

In _South-America_, they worship evil Spirits in various Forms, and Sun and Moon. When it thunders, and lightens, they say the _Sun_ is angry with them: When the Moon is eclipsed, they say the _Sun_ is angry with her.

In _Peru_, next to their chief God, they worship’d the Sun, and after it, the Thunder. They took Sun and Moon for Husband and Wife. In the seventh Month they sacrificed to the Sun, and in the tenth to the Honour of the Moon.

The same Paganism was profest among the _Europeans_; yea the _Greeks_ and _Romans_ that were the most knowing and polite Nations, their chief Gods were Sun, Moon, and Stars.

The Air, and Meteors in it, were made into Gods: Thus the _Persians_ ador’d the Wind; Thunder and Lightning were honour’d under the Name _Geryon_. Comets and the Rainbow also have been prefer’d from _Meteors_, to be _Gods_. _Socrates_ deify’d the Clouds, if Credit may be given to _Aristophanes_.

Their high Veneration for _Water_ was such, that to spit, to urine, or wash in a River was made a high Crime; perhaps, the _Water of Jealousy_ that determin’d the Case about the _Jewish_ Women, suspected of Adultery, might heighten their Veneration for this Element.

In _Sicily_, Rivers were worshipped by the _Agrigentes_ (in the shape of a beautiful Boy) to which they sacrificed.... The _Cathaians_ worship Earth and Water.

The _Indians_ count the River _Ganges_ sacred, and to have a Power of expiating their Sins. When the Idolaters wash in it, they cry, _Oh Ganges, purify me!_ And when any are sick, they dip them in it, in order to recover their Health. The Water of this River is convey’d to such as live at a distance, and are not in a Capacity to travel; so that they ascribe as much Virtue to this River, as the Papists do to their holy Water, and chief Relicks.

The People of _Bengal_ don’t only worship the River _Ganges_, but give Divine Honours to its Image. _Bernier_ says, that Kingdom is well water’d by Channels cut out of the _Ganges_, which is visited by many Pilgrims, who think themselves happy if they can wash in it. There is also a Well in that Country, which they adore, and think, by washing therein, they are purify’d from their Sins. Their _Priests_ travel about with the _Water_ of the _Ganges_, which they sell at vast Prices; because the poor ignorant People are made to believe, that by drinking this Water, they obtain Pardon of their Sins.

The Inhabitants of _Peru_ in _America_, fling the Ashes of their Sacrifices into the River, follow the same six Leagues, and pray the River to bring that Present to _Virachoca_, a superior Deity. _Acosta._

The _Persians_ and _Chaldeans_ express their God by _Fire_, to which they perform Adoration, and bring it Food, crying to it, _Eat, Oh my Lord Fire!_ To throw dead and dirty Things into the Fire, yea to blow it with their Breath, was High Treason.

The _Magicians_ say, that this _Fire_ was convey’d to them from Heaven; and that it was for this Reason that they kept it so religiously. That they preserve a constant Fire on their Altars, is evident from History. They are said to have Fires still subsisting, which have burnt above a thousand Years. We read of such Fire kept up with superstitious Care in the Temple of _Jupiter Ammon_, and in that of _Hercules_ at _Gades_. So it is in _Egypt_, and in most of all the eastern Countries, and _Virgil_ tells that _Iarbas_ the _Getulian_ could boast of a hundred Temples he had erected with Altars, blazing with perpetual Fire, the eternal Guard of the Gods[384].

Footnote 384:

Centum aras posuit, vigilemque sacraverat ignem,
Excubias divûm æternas.

VIRG. Æneid. 4.

That which gave occasion to perpetuate the Fire in Pagan Temples, might be from the perpetual Fire kept in the Temple at _Jerusalem_, which descended from Heaven upon the first Victims sacrificed by _Aaron_ and his Son. Hence the _Vestals_ were appointed express, to keep up the sacred Fire of the _Romans_.

The Kings of _Persia_ never went abroad without having some Portion of the sacred Fire carried before them: The Historian giving an Account of the March of _Darius_’s Army,—says, that they carried Fire upon Altars of Silver, in great Ceremony,—that they had it in great Veneration, calling it the _sacred and eternal Fire_, and that the _Magi_ came after, singing Hymns according to the _Persian Mode_[385].

Footnote 385:

Quint. Curtius, lib. 1. Hyde de Pers. Relig. c. iii. p. 69.

God appear’d to _Moses_ under the Form of a Fire burning in a Bush. The Camp of _Israel_ in the Wilderness was conducted in the Night by a Pillar of Fire. Now God having made several Revelations of himself, under the Appearance of Fire, might give occasion to the _Chaldeans_ and _Persians_ to entertain such enormous Veneration for Fire, which is a Symbol of the Deity: _The Lord thy God_, says _Moses, is a consuming Fire_. At their high Solemnities they set several Trees (hung with diverse Sorts of Beasts for Sacrifice) on fire; this they did after they had carried about these Fires in Procession.

I Shall add here, a remarkable Contest that happen’d between the _Chaldean_ and _Egyptian_ Priests about the _Superiority of their Gods_.... In the time of _Constantine_ the _Chaldean Priests_, to prove that _Fire_, which was their God, excell’d all other Gods in Power, travell’d over the Earth, carrying _Fire_ with them, which soon consum’d all the Statues and Images of other Gods; whether of Brass, Silver, Stone or Wood, says _Suidas_[386], who gives a large Account of it, under the Word κανωπος. At length coming into _Egypt_, and making this Challenge; the _Egyptian Priests_ agreed upon a _Battle of the Gods_, and immediately brought into the Field one of their Idols, which was a large Statue of _Nilus, full of Water_, and full of little Holes, which they stopt with Wax not discernable, and so artificially, that the Water was kept in.

Footnote 386:

Vol. I. pag. 1368.

The _Chaldeans_ (not aware of this Device) begun the Action, with much Assurance, and with Eagerness put Fire around the _Egyptian Statue_, which soon melted the invisible Wax, and the Water gushing forth from all Parts, immediately put out the Fire, and drown’d the hitherto _invincible Deity_ of the _Persians_; the Tragedy ended in a triumphant Shout of Laughter among the Spectators: And I might add[387] how the _Arabians_ and _Indians_, _Peruvians_, _Lithuanians_, and _Vandals_ worship’d Vegetables,—the _Scythians_ Iron. Trees and Plants have been made Gods. Leeks and Onions were Deities in _Egypt_. The ancient _Gauls_ and _Britons_ bore a particular Devotion to the _Oak_; from which their Priests took their Names. _Ceres_ and _Proserpina_, worship’d by the Ancients, were no other than Wheat, Corn, Seed.—The _Syrians_ and _Egyptians_ ador’d Fishes. What were _Tritons_, _Nereids_, _Syrens_, but Sea-Gods? Insects, as Flies, and Ants, had their Priests and Votaries: Yea, _Minerals_ were erected into _Deities_. The _Finlanders_ ador’d _Stones_. I don’t see what can be said for such an Instance of Stupidity. To say the Practice took its rise from _Abram_’s anointing the _Stone_ that he made use of for a Pillow, when he went to _Mesopotamia_, does not lessen the Reproach. The _Mahometans_ think that _Jacob_’s Stone was convey’d to the _Temple at Jerusalem_; and is still there in a _Mosque_ or _Turkish_ Temple, where the Temple at _Jerusalem_ stood before the final Desolation. The monstrous Stupidity of Pagans in their Devotions will further appear in the Close of this Performance.

Footnote 387:

_Ruffin._ Hist. Ecclesiastica, lib. 2. _Stanley_’s Lives of the
Philosophers, part 16. chap. 8. page 28.

Now among all these Instances of Idolatry, the Adoration of the _Sun_ was the most excusable; for, who can behold that stupendous Globe of Fire and Light in perpetual Motion, Splendor, and universal Usefulness to Mankind, without awful Admiration, and warm Emotions of Mind? No wonder then to find that it has been the Object of Adoration so long, and in so many Places. It was the Sun very probably that was worship’d by the _Phenicians_ under the Name of _Baal_, by the _Moabites_ under the Name of _Chemosh_, by the _Ammonites_ under the Name of _Moloch_; by the degenerated _Israelites_ by the Name of _Baal_, the King of the Host of Heaven, to whom they join’d the Moon, whom they called _Astarta_ or Queen of Heaven.

This Worship was perform’d upon high Places, in Groves, and upon the Roofs of their Houses, which in those Countries, were flat. It was against this kind of Worship that _Moses_ warn’d the _Israelites_, and threatens the Transgressors with Death. _Deut._ iv. 19, ’tis said _Josiah_ King of _Judah took away the Horses_, that his Royal Predecessors had given to the Sun, and were fix’d at the Entrance into the House of the Lord, and _burnt the Chariots of the Sun with Fire_.

III. _Animal Gods._ In the next place, I shall briefly touch upon some Brutes and Birds, _&c._ that received Divine Honours from the Pagan People, and even from those who were supposed to excel their Neighbours in Understanding and Wisdom.

Thus _Crocodiles_, _Serpents_, _Eagles_, _Dogs_, _Cats_, _Wolves_, _Oxen_, were worship’d by the People of _Egypt_, those celebrated Sons of Wisdom; but their greatest Solemnities were consecrated to the God _Apis_, or _Serapis_, under the Image of an Ox or Bull.

They had an Ox consecrated to the Sun, which they fed at _Heliopolis_ in _Egypt_: They had another called _Apis_, dedicated to the Moon, and fed at _Memphis_, (for some time, the royal City) where he had his Temple, and the Devils gave out their Oracles. In the time of St. _Jerom_, who flourish’d in the fourth Century, they worshipped here a brass Bull as a God.

The famous God _Osiris_ was adored under the Figure of this Beast, and when dead, it was buried with great Solemnity and Mourning: And ’tis observable, that his Birth-day was celebrated thro’ the whole Kingdom. _N. B._ ’Tis very probable, that the _Israelites_ worshipped the golden Calf in the same manner as the _Egyptians_ did their Bulls, their Cows and Calves.

Before I proceed, give me leave to speak something of this golden Idol, which was the Figure of a Calf, which the _Israelites_ cast, and set up to worship in _Moses_’s Absence; who, upon his return from the Mount, burnt the Figure, ground it to Powder, and made the People drink it mixt with Water, _Exod._ xxxii. The Learned are divided in their Sentiments on this Article; that is, the golden Calf, that was burnt and pulverized.

To pulverize Gold and render it potable, is an Operation in Chymistry of the last Difficulty; and ’tis hard to conceive how it should be done at that time, before Chymistry was heard of, and in a Wilderness too, where they had no proper Instruments. Many therefore suppose it to be done by a Miracle. But the chymical Art seems to be of greater Antiquity, and was very probably practised in the antediluvian World by _Tubal Cain_. _Moses_ is the next Chymist mention’d in the Bible, whose Skill in chymical Operations, in pulverizing the golden Calf, seems to be incontestable, and artificial.

The Art is now much improved. Bid a Chymist convert Gold into Glass; and by means of a burning Concave, or otherwise, he presently does it: Ask him to Shew you Gold in Powder, and by mixing a little _Antimony_ with that Metal, he will soon render it pulverable[388].

Footnote 388:

_Boerhaave_’s _new Method. Proces._ 268, 317.

But to return: Among other living Creatures, the _Egyptians_ also paid a great Devotion to _Dogs_ and _Cats_. We read of a certain _Roman_ Soldier, that was like to be torn to pieces by the People, for having _kill’d a Cat by Accident_; and that when a Dog happen’d to die, the whole House went into Mourning[389]: Yea, in case of a great Famine, they would eat Man’s Flesh, before they would touch their sacred Animals; _ibid._ The Stork, Raven, Eagle, Hawk, Ibis, and other Birds, have had divine Honours paid them in _Egypt_ and other Places....

Footnote 389:

_Diodor. Siculus, Herodot._

The City of _Mendez_ in _Egypt_ worshipped a _Goat_; the City of _Mira_, the _Crocodile_. In other Provinces they erected Altars to Lions, Baboons, Wolves.... The _Hog_ was ador’d in the Island of _Crete_ (now _Candy_) in the Mediterranean. Bats and Mice had Altars consecrated to them in _Troas_ and at _Tenedos_.

Nothing can be supposed more ridiculous than the Adoration given by the _Egyptians_ to their brutal Deities, which were either within or near their Temples; had Tables with delicious Meats and Beds prepared for them, and when any of them died, they went into Mourning, prepared sumptuous Funerals and magnificent Tombs for them, as may be seen at large in _Diodorus Siculus_, _Herodotus_, and others[390].

Footnote 390:

_Plut. Herodot. Jurieu’s Critical History._

Some indeed ridiculed their senseless and stupid Neighbours, tho’ they themselves were not Masters of superior Sense in their Devotions. _Anaxandrides_ reproaches the _Egyptians_ for their wretched and foolish Idolatry; but after all, this was only one Idolater deriding another. _Dionysius_ was the most notorious this way: And most knavish in this kind was the _Painter_, who, when he should have drawn the Picture of _such a Goddess_ for a _Grecian_ City, drew the _Picture of his own Mistress_, and so made her to be adored by the Citizens.

What Man could have forbore laughing, said the _Greek_ Poet above, to see an _Egyptian on his Marrowbones, praying to an Ox as to a God, or howling over a sick Cat, fearing lest his scratching God should die_?

Upon the whole, ’tis no easy matter to discover the real Sentiments of the Heathens about their Gods: they admitted so many superior and inferior Deities, who shared the Empire, that all was full of Gods.

Some of the Antients say, that a certain _subtile Matter_ that made Stars _intelligent_, did reside in their sacred Animals, Plants and Men, and escaped Death: And this made them fit to partake of such Worship, as they gave to the Stars.——_Sanchoniatho_ meant only, that the celestial Bodies are intelligent, and see what is done here below, and therefore were to be adored as Gods[391].

Footnote 391:

_Sanchoniatho’s Phœnician Hist._ by the Learned Bp. _Cumberland_, vol.
i. p. 20, 21.

SECT. III.

_Adoration of_ SERPENTS.

The next thing that comes under Consideration is, the _Worship of Serpents, which is observed thro’ all the Pagan Antiquity_. The Devil, who, under the Shape of a Serpent, tempted our first Parents, has, with unwearied Application, labour’d to deify that Animal, as a Trophy of his first Victory over Mankind. The Conquest made by the _old Serpent in Paradise_, and the wonderful Cures made by the _Shadow of a Serpent in the Wilderness_, contributed very much towards making that hateful Creature so venerable in the Eyes of so many Nations.

God having past Sentence upon the Serpent, Satan _consecrates that Form_ in which he deceived the Woman, and introduces it into the World as an Object of religious Veneration: This he did with a view to enervate the Force of the divine Oracle, the Seed of the Woman. Scarcely a Nation upon Earth, but he has tempted to the grossest Idolatry, and in particular got himself to be worshipped in the hideous _Form of a Serpent_.

The Almighty foreseeing this general Delusion, guarded the World against it, by inspiring Men with the greatest Aversion to that venemous Creature, and yet was the Tempter ador’d in most places under the Appearance of a Serpent. If you say, that Men worship other Creatures; I answer, Those are beneficial to Mankind, and not so odious and hurtful as those who carry Poison in their Tails and Teeth.

How surprizing this! that a Serpent, a Beast to which Mankind has a strong natural Aversion, should be _ador’d by Creatures of Reason_, and yet _nothing more common_, as will appear by the following Instances from Antiquity.

_EGYPT_ was a Country that abounded with Variety of Serpents, and where they were generally held in the greatest Veneration. The supreme God was represented by them in the _Form_ of a _Serpent_ with a Hawk’s Head, because of the wonderful Agility of that Bird. We see no Table of _Osiris_ and _Isis_, two _Egyptian Idols_, without a Serpent joined to them[392]. This _Isis_ married _Osiris_, King of that Country, and govern’d with so much Wisdom and Gentleness, that the _Egyptians_ paid divine Honours to them, who had been such Blessings to the Land.

Footnote 392:

_Macrobii Oper. Sat._ cap. xx.

In _Egypt_ is a Serpent of the Aspick Kind, called _Thermutis_, to which they gave divine Worship; therefore crown’d with it the Statue of their Goddess _Isis_. In the Corners of the Temples, they built little Chapels under ground, where they carefully fed this _Thermutic Serpent_, as a _sacred Genius_[393].

Footnote 393:

_Ælian de Animalibus_, lib. x. _Conrad. Gesner. de Serp._ p. 32.

The _Egyptians_ also paid divine Honours to the _Crocodile_, that monstrous kind of Serpent, particularly the Inhabitants of _Arsinoë_, and they who dwelt in the Neighbourhood of _Thebes_, and the Lake _Mæris_; among whom ’twas fed by their Priests with Bread, Wine, Flesh, and diverse Rarities[394].

Footnote 394:

_In Jonstonus de Quadruped_, cap. viii. p. 142.

_THÆAUTUS_, so often mentioned by _Sanchoniatho_, attributed some Deity to the Nature of the Serpent; an Opinion approved by the _Phenicians_, therefore look’d upon as holy and immortal, and comes into the sacred Mysteries[395].

Footnote 395:

_Euseb. Præp. Evangel._ l. i. c. 10. from _Philo Biblius_, the
Translator of _Sanchon_.

They represented the World by a Circle, in the middle of which was a Serpent, representing the good Demon, or Genius of the World, by which ’tis animated, and is a _Symbol_ of the Almighty Creator. Behold here the Blasphemy of Satan, in giving to God the Form of a Serpent, which he had borrow’d himself to make war against God in Paradise. They sometimes represented their Gods with the Bodies of Serpents, and honour’d those odious Animals with divine Worship, as Symbols of _Apollo_, of the _Sun_, and of _Medicine_, and were put into the Charge of _Ceres_ and _Proserpine_.

_HERODOTUS_ observes, that in his time, near _Thebes_, there were to be seen tame Serpents, adorn’d with Jewels, and consecrated to _Jupiter_, which did no harm to any body: When they died, they were buried in _Jupiter_’s Temple[396]. _Ælian_ speaks of domestick Serpents, that were in the Houses of the _Egyptians_, and look’d upon as _household Gods_; and of another Serpent worshipped in a Tower at _Melitus_ in _Egypt_, that had a Priest and other Officers attending it, and served every day upon an Altar with Meal kneaded up with Honey, which the next day was found to be eaten. _In Melite Eg. Draco divinis honoribus afficitur in turri quadam_ ... _adsunt ei sacerdotes & ministri; mensa_ ... _ex farina subacta_.... Herod. lib. ii. cap. 17.

Footnote 396:

_——Ex Crocodilis alunt. appendentes auribus vel gemmas—sacris in arnis
sepeliant._ _Euterpe_, lib. ii. p. 186.

The _Phenicians_ also sacrificed to _Dragons_, calling them their _good Angels_, their propitious and kind Spirits. Nothing more common in the Heathen Religion, than the Appearance of a Serpent in some Form or other.

The _Babylonians_ worshipped a _Dragon_, which the Prophet _Daniel_, by a Commission from the King, killed; which, one would think, was sufficient to convince the Royal Idolater of his egregious Stupidity in worshipping a Creature as Conservator of Mankind, that could not preserve its own Life. They represented the World by a Circle in the Form of a _Greek Theta_ Θ, and the _good Demon_, by a _Serpent_ in the midst of it; under which Figure, the Protectors of Countries and Cities, called tutelary Gods, were worshipped.

The _Arabians_ reputed Serpents _sacred Beings_, and therefore would allow no Violence to be offered to them; and this Superstition yet remains among those People, according to _Veslingius_, says my Author. They take them into their Houses, feed and worship them as the _Genii_, or Guardians of the Place: Not only Men, but every kind of Things, had its peculiar _Genius_. Two were assigned to each Person, a good and evil Genius, and those were thought to attend them from the Cradle to the Grave. We read of a sacred Dragon that was kept in _Phrygia_ in _Asia Minor_, whose Residence was in a Wood, dedicated to _Diana_, Goddess of the Woods.

Among other strange Animals in the _East-Indies_, _Alexander_ found in a Cave, a _monstrous Dragon_, which the Inhabitants counted sacred, and was adored by them, and daily supplied with Food: The poor, ignorant, superstitious People, humbly addrest the _Conqueror_, not to attack that _holy Place_, and disturb the Repose of their God. The victorious Army hearing its hideous and dreadful Roarings, were not a little terrify’d; they only saw its monstrous Head, when stretch’d out of its Mansion, and its Eyes appeared to them to be as big as a large _Macedonian Buckler_, a Species of defensive Armour[397].

Footnote 397:

_Conrad. Gesner._ p. 44, 45. _Gyllius._

The King of _Calicut_ (in the _East-Indies_, the most powerful of all the _Malabar_ Princes) causes little Cottages to be erected for sacred Serpents, to guard them against the Inclemency of the Weather, and ’tis made Death to hurt them, being they are look’d upon as heavenly Spirits; and they believe them to be such for this Reason, because _they kill Men so suddenly by the Wound they give, which is only a little Puncture, and would not prove fatal if given by other Creatures_.

It is observed by some, that Serpents at this day are highly honour’d in the Kingdom of _Calicut_, on this side the _Ganges_, where the Inhabitants call their King _Samori_, or _Zamorin_, that is, Sovereign Emperor, and God upon Earth. The Dragon being a Serpent of the vigilant Tribe, was constituted and made Guardian of their Houses, of their oracular Temples, and of all their Treasures.

These Protectors of Places and Possessions, they call’d Tutelary Gods, and were worshipp’d by them under the Symbol of _Serpents_, without whose Sanction no Methods of Protection were available.

It is remarkable, that where the Figure of two Serpents was erected in any place, it was look’d upon as a Sign of consecrated Ground; that is, that the Place was holy, being dedicated to some God; for which Superstition they are ridiculed by one of their own Writers, _viz._ _Persius_ the Satirist, that lived under _Nero_, who tells us, that Children were forbid to empty themselves in those Places, and not so much as make-water, for the Place is holy, as appears by the _Picture of the two Serpents_; the Language of which is, Profane not holy Ground.

Would you, Sir, have your Poem pass for a sacred Composure, then paint two Serpents in the Front of it.

Behold here the Original of that Popish Superstition, which forbids Men to make-water in the Church-Yard[398].

Footnote 398:

Pinge duos angues, pueri, sacer est locus, extra
Meite——

_Satir._ i.

At _Alba_, in a Wood not far from _Juno_’s Temple, is a Dragon worshipp’d by the Inhabitants, and for their greater Honour, fed by Virgins, thereby intimating, that Innocence was a proper Attendant on the Gods.

In _Epirus_, south of _Macedonia_, is a certain place sacred to _Apollo_, and wall’d about, within which are kept _sacred Dragons_, fed likewise by a Virgin Priestess, uncloathed, which they believe to be most acceptable to their idol Gods[399]; called by _Juvenal_, one of their own Poets, _wenching Gods_.

Footnote 399:

Ælian. lib. ii. cap. 2. ἱερεια γυμνη παρθενος.

The _Epiroticks_, who highly venerated _Apollo_, honour’d his Temple with a _consecrated Dragon_, which they worshipp’d in solemn remembrance of his killing the _Pythonic Serpent_. It were well if the same Spirit of Gratitude reign’d amongst _Britons_, towards the Heroes that deliver’d their Country from the great Ecclesiastical Dragon, by the glorious Revolution.

Near _Lavinium_ was a Grove of serpentine Gods, dedicated to _Juno_ of _Argos_, which was a City in _Peloponnesus_ (famous for the Shrine of _Æsculapius_) now the _Morea_, one of whose Rivers is called _Styx_; or rather a Well, whose Water is so cold and venemous, that it often kills such that drink thereof; and therefore design’d by the Poets, to be a River of Hell: ’Tis said by some, that _Alexander_ was poison’d with it.

It’s well known what Worship was paid to the Serpent at _Epidaurus_, a _Peleponnesian City_, and the Manner how ’twas pretended that Serpent was brought to _Rome_, which is as follows, _viz._

The _Romans_ being sorely distrest by a Plague, they sent a _Galley_ with Ambassadors to _Epidaurus_, to bring the Serpent consecrated to _Æsculapius_ to _Rome_, which of its own accord went aboard the Galley, and which was landed in the Isle of _Tyber_, where divine Honours were paid to it; upon which the Plague ceased.——Take it as represented by the Historian, who says, ... That the Plague raging terribly at _Rome_, and in the Vicinity, above three Years, did not abate, by any divine or human Remedy, tho’ Men had tried both; therefore by the Counsel of the _Delphic Oracle_, ten Ambassadors were sent to fetch the Statue of _Æsculapius_, that was ador’d in the Body of the great Serpent; hereupon, a very strange thing ensued, and manifestly true, both from many faithful Historians, and building the _Temple_ (dedicated to it) in the _Isle of Tyber_.

When the _Roman Ambassadors_ had delivered their Commands to the _Epidaurians_, who brought them into the Temple of _Æsculapius_ ... while they were admiring a huge Shrine, a great Serpent sliding of a sudden from the _Adytum_ (which was a Place of Retirement in the Pagan Temples, where Oracles were given, into which none but Priests were admitted) upon sight of it the Priests, in a devout Posture, said to the Company, _that the Deity shrouded itself in that Form_, and when it appear’d in this _Fashion_, ’twas look’d upon as a _happy Omen_.

The Serpent was seen for two Days in the Temple, and afterwards disappeared, but on the third Day it past thro’ the Croud (which gazed on and worship’d) and went directly to the Port where the _Roman Galley_ stood; and having enter’d into it, laid itself down in the Cabin of _Q. Ogulnius_, the chief Ambassador. They set sail from thence ... and soon arrived at _Rome_. The whole City came out to see this wonderful Thing——Altars were built, Incense burnt, and Sacrifices offer’d. The Serpent swam over to the _Isle of Tyber_, (which afterwards was called _Æsculapius_’s _Isle_) and since was never seen.

The Senate concluding this Island to be the Place chosen by the God, decreed that a Temple should be built for _Æsculapius_ there—whereupon the Plague ceased. The Temple grew famous for rich Offerings, in Consideration of their Deliverance from the Plague by that Deity[400].

Footnote 400:

_Livy._ lib. xi. _Quære_, Whether the Historian’s Faith kept pace with
his Pen?

_VALERIUS MAXIMUS_ says, that the Priests looking into the _Sibyls Books_, observed there was no other way to restore the City to its former Health, but by bringing the Image of _Æsculapius_ from _Epidaurus_ ... upon which Ambassadors were sent[401].

Footnote 401:

_Val. Maxim._ lib. i. cap. 8. See _Ovid. Metamorph._ lib. 25.

The Poets and Mythologists, in order to shew there was no Distemper but _Æsculapius_ could cure, said, he raised the Dead. Thus at the Request of _Diana_, he restor’d _Hippolytus_ to Life, who had been torn to pieces by his Horses. We can’t doubt of the Credulity of the People in thinking him rank’d among the Gods, after so many Temples, Inscriptions, and Medals dedicated to his Memory.

The most famous Temples consecrated to _Æsculapius_, were that of _Epidaurus_[402], that in the Isle of _Co_, that of _Cyrene_, that of _Pergamos_, that in the Isle of _Tyber_[403].

Footnote 402:

_Pliny Nat. Hist._ lib. 4. c. 5.

Footnote 403:

For these, see _Strabo_, _Val. Maximus_, _Herodot., Livy_.

As to the Inscriptions in honour of _Æsculapius_, _Gruterus_ has these following, _viz._

_Æsculapio, Hygeæ, & ceteris Diis & Deabus._

_Deo Æsculapio, & Hygeæ, conservatoribus._

_Deo Æsculapio, & Deæ Hygeæ._

_N. B._ The Title of Conservator, or Saviour, was the ordinary Elogium of _Æsculapius_.

In the Isle of _Co_, there was a Coin whereon _Æsculapius_ was called the _Saviour_; and so on a Coin of _Ancyra_. Games are also mentioned, instituted in honour of him as Saviour. The Symbol of _Æsculapius_ was a _Serpent_, or _Dragon_, about a _little Rod_, as may be seen in several Medals, and by the Testimony of the Poet[404]. Wherever he was worship’d in Statues of a _human Figure_, a _Staff was put into his Left-hand, with a Serpent about it_.

Footnote 404:

_Ovid. Metam._ lib. 5. Qualis in æde.... Esse solet, baculumque tenens
agreste sinistra.

This seems to be the reason why Antiquity represents the first Masters of Physick (as _Hermes_, _Æsculapius_, _Hippocrates_, in their Statues and Medals) with a _Viper_ added to their _Figure_; and also why they worship’d those _Physicians under the Form of Serpents_[405].

Footnote 405:

_Salomonis Cellarii—Origines & Antiquitates Medicæ._ Printed at _Hall_
in _Saxony_.

The Serpent of _Æsculapius_, the reputed God of Physick, had its Rise from the miraculous Cures done by _Moses_’s _Serpent_ in the Camp of _Israel_. Serpents of bright and golden Colour were all counted sacred to _Æsculapius_, and were cicur’d, or made tame by human Arts. A _Dragon_ was usually annex’d to his _Image_, and to that of _Health_, nothing being thought _available_ without the _Presence of a Serpent_.

At _Pella_ in _Macedonia_, the Royal Seat, and _Alexander_’s Birth-place, were _Dragons_ of a large Bulk, but of a gentle Nature, maintain’d at the Expence of the Government, as Creatures bearing a _sacred Character_, and worthy of the publick Regard. Because many tame Serpents were kept in that Place, the fabulous Poets said, _Alexander was born of a Serpent_.

The People of _Argos_ in _Greece_, had Serpents in such great Veneration, that nobody was suffer’d to kill them with impunity[406]. The _Pagan Temples_ were wont to be haunted with Serpents, in so much that it grew into a Phrase of Speech, the _sacred Serpent_[407]. And thus Serpents are deified and solemnly enrolled among the Gods.

Footnote 406:

_Ælian._ lib. xii. cap. 34.

Footnote 407:

Sacer anguis.

_SANCHONIATHON_, a _Phœnician Historiographer_, and _Philo Biblius_, who translated his Antiquities, have left us a full Account of the Origin of the _Apotheosis_, or _Canonization of Serpents_[408]; which leads me to say something of what the Ancients called _Apotheosis of departed Souls_, and the Strange Ceremonies used in the _Apotheosis_ or _Deification_ of the deceased Emperor, who had deserved well of their Country.

Footnote 408:

_Sanchoniathon_ is supposed by some to be cotemporary with _Gideon_.

_APOTHEOSIS_ among the Ancients was a Pagan Ceremony whereby Emperors and great Men were placed among the Gods, called also _Deification_, and _Consecration_: Temples and Altars were erected to the new Deities, _viz._ Serpents and Men, Sacrifices offered to them; and for that end, Colleges of Priests were instituted for the Honour of these Demi-Gods.

It was one of the Doctrines of _Pythagoras_, which he borrowed from the _Chaldeans_, that useful and virtuous Persons, after their Death, were raised into the _Order of the Gods_. Hence the Ancients _deified_ all the Inventors of Things that were beneficial to Mankind, and those who had done Services of Importance to their Country.

By degrees these _new Gods_ grew very numerous. One of their own Poets rallying them for frequent Deifications, introduces poor _Atlas_, who is said to _bear the Heavens on his Shoulders_, complaining, that he was ready to sink under the Number and Weight of so many _new Gods_, as were every day coin’d, and added to the Heavens, which made his Shoulders to warch. _N. B._ _Atlas_ in Anatomy is the Name of the first _Vertebra_ of the Neck, which supports the Head, and is the highest, so called in allusion to the famous Mountain _Atlas_ in _Africa_, suppos’d to be the highest in the World, so that it seems to hold up the Heavens; and also to the Fable that makes _Atlas_ King of _Mauritania_ in that Country, to bear up the visible Heavens. I now proceed to the Description which we have in _Herodian_, a _Greek_ Historian in the third Century, who in speaking of the _Apotheosis_ of the Emperor _Severus_, gives us a very full Account of that strange Ceremony, _viz._

... After the Body of the deceased Emperor had been burnt with the usual Solemnities, they placed an Image of Wax perfectly like him, but of a sickly Aspect, on a large Bed of Ivory, covered with Cloth of Gold, which they exposed to publick View at the Entrance of the Palace-Gate.

The greatest Part of the Day the Senate sat ranged on the left side of the Bed, drest in Mourning Robes; the Ladies of the first Rank sitting on the right side, in plain and white Robes, without any Ornaments.... This lasted for seven Days successively; during which, the Physicians came from time to time to visit the Sick, always making their Report that he grew worse, till at length they publish’d it, that he was dead.

This done, the _young Senators_ and _Roman Knights_ took the Bed of State upon their Shoulders, carrying it thro’ the _Via sacra_ to the old _Forum_, where the Magistrates used to divest themselves of their Offices: There they let it down between two kinds of Amphitheatres; in the one, were the Youth, and in the other the Maidens of the first Families in _Rome_, singing Hymns set to solemn Airs in praise of the Deceased.

Those Hymns ended, the Bed was carried out of the City into the _Campus Martius_, in the middle of which Place was erected a kind of square Pavilion; the Inside thereof was full of combustible Matter, and the Outside hung with Cloth of Gold, and adorned with Figures of Ivory, and various Paintings.

Over this Edifice were several others, like the first in Form and Decoration, but less; always diminishing, and growing slenderer towards the Top, and a great many aromatick Perfumes, and odoriferous Fruits and Herbs were thrown all around: After which, the Knights made a Procession in solemn Measures about the Pile; several Chariots ran round it, those who conducted them being clad in purple Robes, and bearing the Images of the greatest _Roman_ Emperors and Generals.

This Ceremony ended, the new Emperor came to the _Catafalco_ or Pile with a Torch in his hand, and at the same time Fire was put to it on all sides by the Company, the Spices and all Combustibles kindling all at once. While this was doing, they let fly from the Top of the Building an _Eagle_, which mounting into the Air with a Firebrand, carried the Soul of the dead Emperor along with it into Heaven, as the _Romans_ believ’d; and thenceforward _he was ranked among the Gods_. ’Tis for this Reason that the Medals wherein the _Apotheoses_ are represented, have usually an Altar with Fire upon it, or however an Eagle taking its Flight into the Air, and sometimes two Eagles[409].

Footnote 409:

_Herodian_, who writ his History in 8 Books, from whom we have the
Ceremonies of the Apotheosis of the _Roman_ Emperors, lib. 4.

A certain Emperor being asked, what he had done to merit an _Apotheosis_? He answered, _He had always studied to resemble the Gods_. And being asked again, In what did he endeavour to be like them? He answered, _In having as few Wants as possible of my own, and doing good in the most extensive Way to others_.

There is no Place so remote in the World, but has been polluted with this monstrous Idolatry, _of worshipping Serpents_. The northern Historians tell us, the People of _Lithuania_ in _Poland_ worship’d Serpents; and ’tis not long ago, since that gross Idolatry was abolish’d, of which _Sigismund_ Baron of _Herberstein_, gives us this memorable Story, _viz._

——Returning, says he, from _Massovia_ near _Wilna_, my Host acquainted me, he had bought a Hive of Bees, from one of these _Serpent-Worshippers_, whom with much ado he had persuaded to kill the Serpent, and worship the true God: Within a while after coming that Way, he found the poor Fellow miserably tortured and deformed, his Face wrinkl’d and turn’d awry; and demanding the Cause of it, he answer’d, _viz._

_THAT this Judgment was inflicted upon him for killing his God_, and that he was like to endure heavier Torments if he did not return to his former Worship. Which brings to my Mind a Passage in one of the Fathers, relating to the _Carthaginians_, who having been compelled by _Agathocles_ King of _Sicily_ to leave off those horrid Sacrifices of human Victims to _Saturn_, forbore them a long time: But a great Calamity being brought upon them for disusing those human Sacrifices; and to atone for their Neglect, _they sacrificed at once two hundred Children of the noblest Families in_ Carthage[410].

Footnote 410:

Cum victi essent ab Agathocle rege Siculorum, iratum sibi Deum
putavisse, itaque ut diligentius piaculum solverent ducentos nobilium
filios immolasse. Lactantius. Lib. 1. Sect. 21. p. 67. _Lugd. Batav._

But to return to the _Baron_ of the North, who adds, That in his Time, the People in _Samogitia_, East of the _Baltick_ Sea, did still pay _divine Honours to a Serpent as a Deity_.... Some of those that inhabit the Deserts, adore a _four-footed Serpent_, under the Name of _Givosit_. Few Families there, are without _Serpents_, for their _Domestick Gods_, to whom they give more than ordinary Veneration, tho’ at the same time they profess the Christian Faith[411], which _Jagello_ their Prince received _Anno Domini_ 1386. _ibid._

Footnote 411:

Atlas _Europe_, p. 261.

The _English_ Cosmographer accounts for them thus, _viz._ “The People anciently had _Fire_ and _Serpents_ for their Gods, nourishing the last in their Houses, and keeping the other continually burning; the Priests of the Temple always adding Fuel, that it might not fail. The Vestal Fire was not kept more carefully at _Rome_, nor with greater Ceremony.... To this God, (whom they call’d, Lord of the _Smoke_,) they used to sacrifice young Pullets, to the other their Cocks[412].” The Seed of this Idolatry is so implanted in them, that ’tis said, that in a Village of the King’s, called _Lovaniski_, their chief City, they do, to this day _worship Serpents_. _ibid._

Footnote 412:

_Heylin_’s Cosmogr. lib. 2. _Poland_ p. 143.

The _Lithuanians_, ’tis said, ador’d three Gods, _Fire_, _Wood_, and _Serpents_. These last were counted their _Guardian Gods_. And according to a certain Historian, this kind of superstitious and diabolical Worship continues yet in some Parts of the Kingdoms of _Norway_ and _Vermolandia_[413].

Footnote 413:

_Olaus Magnus_, Archbishop of _Upsal._ History of the _Goths_.

The Inhabitants of _Prussia_ were barbarous and wild in the highest degree, having of old no manner of Religion, or next to none, and first began _with the Worship of Serpents_[414]. There are Countries in the _Indies_, says _Jurieu_, where Serpents are worship’d to this day.

Footnote 414:

_Erasm. Stella_ in the Antiquities of _Prussia_. Lib. 1.

_ARISTOPHANES_, in the Comedy entitled _Plutus_, observes that the Deity gave the Sign, _viz._ by _hissing_; upon which two monstrous Dragons skip’d out of the Temple[415].

Footnote 415:

Δυω δρακοντ’ εκ του νεω. Fragmenta p. 52.
Dixerat hæc adytis cum lubricus anguis ab imis.

When _Æneas_ sacrificed to the _Manes_, (the departed Soul) of his Father _Anchises_, he saw a _Serpent_ come out of his Grave, which he concluded to be either the _Tutelar God_ of his Father, or of that Place, which was counted a good Omen. We have an Account of some Priests in _Asia_ that expose to publick View a Serpent in a brazen Vessel, attended with a great Variety of Musick. The Serpent appears in an erect Posture, opens its Mouth, and instead of a forked Tongue, appears the Head of a beautiful Virgin[416].

Footnote 416:

_Phil. Melanchton._

_NICHOLAS de Lyra_ makes mention of such another idle Conceit, _viz._ That the Serpent assumed the Face of a beautiful Maid, when it tempted _Eve_. _N. B._ In the _German Bibles_ printed before _Luther_, among other Figures may be seen that of a Serpent with the Face of a very handsome Maid.

In short, so great was the Devotion paid to Serpents, that Persons and Things were denominated from them: Yea, some would be thought to proceed from Serpents, as the highest Degree of Honour. _Cadmus_’s Companion was called a _Serpent_, so the Giant in _Homer_, and a certain Prophet in _Pausanias_.

In the Primitive Church were an heretical Sect, called _Ophites_, that is Serpents. In _Cyprus_, and about the _Hellespont_, were a certain People that went by the Name _Serpent_. So a Soothsayer in _Messenia_, _&c._ But these came short of _Alexander the Great_, and _Scipio Africanus_, who were said _to be born of Serpents_, which they look’d upon to be the _brightest Insignia_ in their _Escutcheon_; but more of this _Serpentine Pride_ in the next Chapter.

In such wonderful Esteem were _Serpents_ among them, that all manner of Creatures were called by their Name, as Stars, Animals, Plants, Trees, Herbs, Rivers, Stones, Islands, Proverbs.... Nothing was accounted Divine and Grand, unless graced by a Serpent[417]. From this _Divinity_ ascrib’d to Serpents, _Pherecides_ took occasion to make a Dissertation concerning the Deity called _Ophion_, from Οφις, a Serpent[418].

Footnote 417:

Conradus Gesner.

Footnote 418:

Euseb. Præparat. Evang.

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