[ 2i6 ] 
4 The other Figures are too imperfeCf, to trouble 
4 you with Conjectures about them } but they all 
4 regard the fame Defien. They are officiating 
4 Pricfts, and dreft in fuch a fymbolic manner, as 
4 intimates the Sun's Influence, and annual Motion. 
4 The Mithriac Ceremonies, as hkewife the My- 
4 fteries of the Antients, were but the expiring Re- 
4 mains of the antienr, patriarchal Religion } and 
4 Worffiip of the true God : As it were, (wallowed 
4 up by Pagan ilm, and the Devil’s Inventions. For 
4 indeed the Patriarchal Religion was no other than 
4 Chriflianity antedated. 
4 For in the Mithriac Ceremonies, and Myfteries, 
4 they had plainly, the two Chriftian Sacraments : 
* Initiation by Baptifm : And the fublime Comma- 
* nion by Bread, and Wine. Mithras is but another 
4 Name of a Mej]iah y in his prieftly Character : It 
4 fignifies Mediator. 
4 Thus writes Tertullian , c. 40. fpcaking of the 
4 Devil perverting the Rites of true Religion : ‘ 4 (He), 
44 the Devil perfuades thofe that are initiated into the 
44 Mithriac Ceremonies, to believe an Expiation of 
44 their Sins by their being baptized : And they are 
44 crofled on the Forehead, as his faithful Soldiers. 
44 And likewife they there celebrate the breaking of 
44 Bread.” But they did not take thefe Ceremonies 
4 from the Chriftians ; they are of a much antienter 
4 Date ; perhaps from the Beginning of the World. 
4 The Romans became extremely fond of the 
4 Mithriac Sacreds, whence here you find this Sculp* 
4 ture in the Imperial City. I faw an Image of 
4 Mithras at Chefler , and no Doubt there are many 
4 more in Britain } either deftroy’d, or undifeover’d. 
44 St. 
