391 
XI. That the principal corruptions of primitive Christianity 
arose from the Platonists and Gnostics of the Greco-Egyptian 
capital Alexandria,* in the same manner as their own ancient 
religion was originally derived from a purer source, rtow only 
to be found in ilie Bible. 
XII. That the study of Egyptian mythology will throw more 
light upon the restrictive customs of the Jews,f the allusions 
of the prophets, and the early history of the Christian church, 
than that of any other country. 
Thus then for a time we roll back the papyrus on which is 
inscribed the story of the serpent Apophis, ask we. Why 
the Father of Mankind has permitted these records to con- 
tain, amid so many errors, much to testify of prophetic and 
spiritual truth ? Seek then the answer in the words of the 
Apostle of the Gentiles, J God left not himself without wit- 
ness in the world,” so that even by the light of nature, “ all the 
world might become guilty before Him,” and might in the 
fulness of time be saved by His Son who is God over all, the 
victor over the great dragon, <( that old serpent,” for ever — and 
evermore. 
NV1YS 
* Sharpe, Egyptian Mythology and Egyptian Christianity. 
t See particularly Chabas, F., “ Hebraeo-Egyptiaca,” Trans. Soc. Bib. 
Archceology, vol, i. ; and Laiith, Moses der Ebraeer, 1868, which, although 
wrong in its conclusions, throws much light on early Jewish history. 
% Acts xiv. 17. 
