208 Idolatry and Philosophy of the Zabians. 
dwelt with either, was the Sun.* And hence arose the once univer- 
sal worship of Mithras, the mediator, the savior, the sun. 
Such appears to have been the grand foundation of the idolatry 
of the Chaldee priests. It appears to follow in such a simple train, 
and, if allowed, will explain such a vast number of facts connected 
with the idolatry of the ancients, for which otherwise, no appropriate 
reason can be given. I would advance these novel opinions with 
diffidence; it is however, interesting to observe, how well they ac- 
count for the Magian dissention. ‘The Zabians prayed to the merid- 
ian sun, the Magian to the rising sun; hence, as will be hereafter 
seen, there ought to have been on these principles, that dissimilarity 
in worship, sacrifices, &c., which actually existed. 
The sun was not adored because of his beauty or glory, but be- 
cause he was looked upon as a mediator, and this adoration gave an 
entire new turn to their religion, making it astronomical; for all the 
sun’s powers, personifications, &c.t were to be worshipped ; all as- 
tronomical occurrences, howsoever affecting his dominion, became at 
once objects of religious reverence ; in fact the study of astronomy 
formed a part of the study of theology, and the influences supposed 
to be exerted by Mithras, the sun, over human affairs, invited by a 
very quick succession of steps, to the study of Telesms, and judi- 
cial astrology. 
From man downwards to minerals, there is a successive series of 
created things. It was reasonable for these early philosophers to 
suppose, that from the First Cause and great angels, there might be 
a similar succession down to man. It was upon this consideration, 
that the doctrine of Fairies and Divs was invented ; Ormusd had his 
hosts of angels or Peris, the Fallen one had his legions of Divs. 
The abode of the former was Shadcam, a place of pleasure and de- 
light, whose walls were of pearls, and whose streets were paved with 
amber; gold and gems were in profusion in this enchanted place, and 
the happy fairy feasted on manna, and drank delicious nectar.. They 
had likewise a resting place on earth, in some pleasant island of the 
Indian ocean, the enchanted castle and palace of amber abode might 
* Bryant Analysis. Sanson’s Persia, p. 185. Relig. vet. Pers. C. 4. Asiat. Res. v. 1. 
p. 342. and v. 2. pp. 8, 58, and 400. 
+ Syphis Diod. Sic. L.1. Shuckford v. 1, p. 345. Cic. Acad. Ques, L. 3. ¢. 37. 
Cicero de natura deorum L. I, c. 15. 
+ Shuckford v. 1. p. 347. Plutarch de defectu Oraculorum. Cic. de divinatione, 
Ch. 55. Landseer Sabean Researches. Maimonides Moreh Nerochim c. 12. Diss. 8. 
( Townley.) 
