INTRODUCTION. XCvii 



Philo Judaeus, who has written a treatise 

 upon those placed at the east of the garden 

 of Eden, sometimes interprets them physi- 

 cally, and sometimes metaphysically. Physi- 

 cally, in one place, he considers one cherub 

 as representing the sphere of the fixed stars, 

 and the other that of the planets, 1 and in 

 another he asks, whether they may not 

 signify the two hemispheres, 2 both of which 

 amount to the whole universe. 3 The flaming 

 sword, he conjectures, either represents the 

 general motion of the heavens and planets, or 

 else is a symbol of the sun. 4 Metaphysically, 

 he considers the two cherubim as symbolizing 

 the Power and Goodness of the Deity, and 

 the flaming sword the Logos or his essential 

 Word; and this interpretation he seems to 

 think was divinely suggested to him. 5 Cle- 

 ment of Alexandria, in some degree, seems to 

 incline to the opinions, on this subject, of his 

 compatriot Philo, but he expresses himself 

 obscurely, 6 and, after alluding to other inter- 

 pretations, concludes with mentioning " The 

 doxologising spirits whom the cherubim sym- 



i De Cherubim. 86. A. B. 2 Ibid. D. 



s Ibid. 85. G. * Ibid. 86. D. E. 5 /$#. p. G. 



6 Clem. Alex. Stromat. 1. v. 241. ed. Sylburg. 1592. 



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