214 Idolatry and Philosophy of the Zabians. 
of heaven, overspread the world early and almost universally,* a re- 
semblanee between the popular worship of the old Greeks and Ital- 
ians, and that of the Hindoos. Nor can there be room to doubt of 
a great similarity between their strange religions, and that of Egypt, 
China, Persia, Phrygia, Phenicia, and Syria, to which perhaps we 
may safely add some of the southern kingdoms, and even islands of 
America. While the Gothic system which prevailed in the northern 
regions of Europe, was not merely similar to those of Greece and 
Italy, but almost the same in another dress, with an embroidery of 
images apparently Asiatic. From all this if it be satisfactorily prov- 
ed, we may infer a general union or affinity between the most cele- 
brated inhabitants of the primitive world, at a time when they de- 
viated, as they did too early deviate, from the rational adoration of 
the only true God.t From the Chaldeans it spread all over the 
east, where the professors of it had the name of Zabians, from thence 
into Egypt, and from thence to the Grecians, who propagated it to 
all the western countries of the world.{ The Zabians are a sect 
whose heresy has overspread almost all mankind.¢ For the Baby- 
lonians were all Zabians, and indeed were the first founders of that 
sect. They first brought in the worship of the planets, and after- 
wards that of images, and from thence it was propagated into all other 
nations where it obtained, as hath been already shewn.|| Hamalel{ 
that is, Ham, al, el, Ham the sun, shewing that the ancient religion of 
this island, in short every thing in this country, savours of Chaldaic 
and Egyptian institution. ‘The religion of the Arabs was entirely 
Zabian. In the first ages of the world, and down until comparatively — 
modern times, the Deity was adored only in the open air. It was 
held unlawful to build temples to the gods, or to worship them within 
walls or under roofs.** When any signal favor had been received, 
the usual custom was to erect a stone in remembrance of the blessing 
and the ground on which these stones were placed, was supposed to 
be hallowed.t+ The Druids of Europe, who were most undoubted- 
ly Zabians, raised up these monuments in a circular form. Some 
of them as at Stonhenge, exist to this day. At Abury, and nume- 
* Encyc. Perth. Art. Mythol. 
+ Gods of!Greece, Italy and India, p. 424, vol. 1, Asiat. Res. of the Indian relig. 
and phil. &c. 
+ Prideaux. § Moreh Nevochim. | Prideaux 1, p. 242. 
gq Bryant Anc. Mythol. ** Taeitus de Moribus German. 
++ This custom prevails in the south sea islands until now. 
