CONTENTS.

PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.

THE ORIGIN, CHARACTER, MYSTERIES, AND ORACLES OF PAGAN IDOLATRY.

Page.

KNOWLEDGE of this Subject necessary-False Religion attests the reli-

gious Tendency of Man-Heathen Idolatry must be studied with

a distinct Recognition of Satanic Influence-Necessity of admit-

ting the Evidence of Revelation-Origin of IDOLATRY-Idolatry

in post-diluvian Times arose before the Dispersion-And emanated

from Babel-Was not at first a violent Introduction of Error, but

a fatal Perversion of Truth-Elements of Truth liable to this Per-

version-Plurality of Persons in one Deity-Promised Incarnation

-Rites of Patriarchal Worship-Man's primitive Purity and Fall

-Similarity of the Adamic and Noachic Families-Hero-Worship

considered as arising out of the promised Incarnation, and taking

the Form of a Triad from the Great Father and his three Sons

-Peculiar Case of Egypt-Animal-Worship-Folly of many

Attempts to account for it-Originated in the Cherubim-Wor-

ship of material Elements-The Agency under which all this

Error was evolved made apparent by the universal Worship of the

Serpent Form-THE RELIGIOUS CHARACTER OF THIS SYSTEM-

It practically obliterated the essential Principle of the Divine

Unity-Banished all Idea of Divine Purity-And destroyed at

once the Knowledge of God, and Confidence in him-Character of

idolatrous Worship—General Admission—But the Being to whom

this Worship was offered was not God-And the Service, although

often grand and imposing, was generally associated with foul and

filthy Abominations-THE MYSTERIES-The Theory of Warbur-

ton, refuted by Leland-Conflicting Theories as to the Origin of

the Mysteries-Their Object equally contested-Their Origin

defined-Their Object explained-Essential Elements of Heathen

Mysteries-THE ORACLES of Heathen Worship-An undoubted

Privilege of patriarchal Times to have Access unto God, and to

obtain special and important Instruction by this Means-Contest

between the Learned as to whether Heathen Oracles were sustained

by Satanic Influence-Testimony of Scripture-Judgment of the

Learned on the Character and Credit of the Oracles-Case of

Croesus, King of Lydia, from Herodotus-The Result of the

Inquiry establishes the Operation of Satanic Influence-General

Observations in Conclusion. NOTES. Antediluvian Idolatry-

Was the Doctrine of the Trinity known to the early Patriarchs ?

-The Worship of Man.

1

CHAPTER I.

EGYPT ITS HISTORY.

Page.

GENERAL View of Egypt-Difficulties which oppose our Acquaintance

with its early History-Undoubted Evidence of high Civilization

in the most remote Times-Prowess and Reign of Amosis-

EIGHTEENTH DYNASTY-Death of Jacob-Wonderful Perfection of

mechanical Art-Death of Joseph-Moses-The Exodus-Canaan-

itish Nations weakened by Egyptian Invasion before the Israelites

crossed the Jordan-Sesostris-NINETEENTH DYNASTY-Sethos-

His Conquests-The Absence of further Allusion to Canaan on the

Monuments, a striking Proof of the Truth of Scripture-TWEN-

TIETH DYNASTY-TWENTY-FIRST DYNASTY-Effect of the com-

mercial Policy of the Hebrews on Egypt-TWENTY-SECOND

DYNASTY-Shishak-His Invasion of Judea-TWENTY-THIRD DY-

NASTY-Decline of Egyptian Power-TWENTY-FOURTH DYNASTY

-Bocchoris-TWENTY-FIFTH DYNASTY-Tarkus-TWENTY-SIXTH

DYNASTY-The Dodecarchy-Triumph and Reign of Psammitichus

-Pharaoh-Necho-His Victory over the Hebrews-Apries, the

Pharaoh-Hophra of Scripture-Defeated and put to Death by

Amosis-Conquest of Egypt by a Persian Army-TWENTY-

SEVENTH DYNASTY-Era of Persian Rule-Successful Government

of Darius-Gallant Effort of Inaros-His Defeat and Death-

Herodotus-TWENTY-EIGHTH DYNASTY-Amyrtæus-TWENTY-

NINTH DYNASTY-THIRTIETH DYNASTY-Chronological Difficul-

ties-Persian Invasion defeated-Slothful Habits and ultimate

Energy of Darius Ochus-THIRTY-FIRST DYNASTY-Persian Rule

re-established-THIRTY-SECOND DYNASTY-Conquest of Egypt by

Alexander the Great-His profound and successful political and

and commercial Policy-Alexandria built-Ruin of the Mace-

donian House-THIRTY-THIRD DYNASTY-The Ptolemies-Lagus

-His successful Rule-Power and Cultivation of Egypt under

Philadelphus-Euergetes successful in War-Intercourse between

Egypt and Rome-Gradual Decline of Egyptian Power-Excessive

Vices of the ruling Princes-Cleopatra, Cæsar, and Antony-Egypt

a Roman Province. NOTES. The Geography and Population

of Egypt-The Chronology of ancient Egypt-The monumental

Names of Egyptian Kings-Sir Gardner Wilkinson on the Date of

the Exodus -The providential Preparation for the Israelitish Inva-

sion of Canaan-The martial Career of Sesostris-The Cruelty

exhibited in Egyptian Sculptures-The Fulfilment of sacred Pro-

phecy in the History of Egypt.

59

CHAPTER II.

THE RELIGION OF THE EGYPTIANS.

REFERENCE to this Subject in "the Patriarchal Age"-The Import-

ance of THEOLOGY to Religion-Egyptian Triads, their Relation

to primitive Promise and Noah-The probable Identity of these

Triads-Animal-Worship originated in the Cherubim—And car-

ried out to an infamous Extent-General View of Egyptian

Mythology-The MORALS of Egypt, recognised in Jurisprudence

-Prominence given to Truth and Justice-Illustrations-The

Doctrine of THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL-Curious Corrup-

tions associated with this Doctrine-Object of Embalming―The

Doctrine of a future Judgment-The Opinions held by this People

exhibited-Important Light imparted thereby on the Subject of

Morals-The Hall of Judgment and forty-two Assessors-All

resulting in everlasting Happiness or Punishment-Providence-

General Accuracy of Doctrine, but neutralized by Polytheism-

General Character and Influence of this Religion-Morals—

Divine Sanction-Future Retribution-Spiritual Character-Re-

markable Juxta-position of Truth and Error. NOTES. The pro-

gressive Developement of this Idolatry-The Changes made in the

Egyptian Triad

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167

III.

THE HISTORY OF THE ASSYRIANS.

HISTORY of Assyria resumed with the Reign of BELOCHUS-Absence

of precise Information respecting this and succeeding Reigns-

Probability that even in this Age the Power of Egypt was felt on

the Banks of the Euphrates-Interference of Assyria in the Trojan

War-Fragmentary Notices of ancient Reigns recovered from

Inscriptions by Colonel Rawlinson-Connected Assyrian History

begins about the tenth Century B.C.-ADRAMMELECH I.—SAR-

DANAPALUS I.—His military Career and Successes—DIVANUBARA

-The Annals of his Reign from the Black Obelisk and other

Sculptures SHEMAS ADAR-ADRAMMELECH II. or THONOS CON-

COLEROS-The Termination of the Old Imperial Dynasty—ARBA-

CES the Mede on the Throne of Assyria-The Mission of Jonah,

and its Results-The Assyrians recover their Sovereignty-PUL

obtains the Sceptre Manahem, King of Israel, destroys Tiphsah

-Pul invades Israel, and extorts a thousand Talents of Silver

from Manahem-TIGLATH-PILESER succeeds to the Throne-At

the Solicitation of Ahaz, he invades Syria and Israel, and carries

the trans-Jordanic Tribes and the Inhabitants of Galilee into

Captivity-Colonel Rawlinson's Arrangement of the Information

Page.

obtained from the Sculptures of Khorsabad and Koyunjik-SARGINA

usurps the Throne-His Annals and public Works-SENNACHERIB

-His Campaigns from the Inscriptions-Remarkable Accordance

between their Account of his War with Hezekiah, and that given

in the Scriptures-The Destruction of his Army-His subsequent

Reign-ESARHADDON—The Ruin of Samaria, and final Subversion

of the Kingdom of Israel-The Captivity and Restoration of Ma-

nasseh-NABUCHODONOSOR-His Wars in the East-Defeat and

Death of Phraortes-An Army under Holofernes sent into West-

ern Asia-The General slain by Judith, and the Army surprised

and routed-SARAC, or SARDANAPALUS II.-Alliance of Media

and Babylon against Assyria-Nineveh besieged and taken-The

Assyrian Empire subverted. NOTES. Glass sent as an Article of

Tribute from Assyria and Babylon to Egypt-The Army sent from

Assyria, under Memnon, to aid Priam in the Trojan War-The

remarkable Means by which the Reading of ancient Monumental

Inscriptions has been recovered-The peculiar Difficulty of identi-

fying Assyrian proper Names-The proper chronological Succes-

sion of the Reigns exhibited in the Assyrian Sculptures—The

chronological Position of the lower Line of Assyrian Kings, and

their Relation to the Median Revolt-Evidence of Sargina's Wars

with Egypt, and the Kind of Tribute sent thence to Assyria-

Fulfilment of sacred Prophecy in the History of Assyria....

195

CHAPTER IV.

THE HISTORY OF THE BABYLONIANS.

BABYLON the Seat of the first post-diluvian Sovereignty-Conquered

and subjected to Assyria-Policy of Assyria toward subject Coun-

tries-NABONASSAR-The Era bearing his Name-He was inde-

pendent-NADIUS, CHINZIRUS, PORUS, and JUGÆUS, successively

reign-MARDOCEMPADUS or MERODACH-BALADAN--His Embas-

sage to Hezekiah-ARCHIANUS-HAGISA-MARADACH BALDANES

-BELIBUS defeated by Assyria-ASORDANES-NABOPOLASSAR

-Babylon asserts its Independence-Coalition of Babylon and

Media against Nineveh-Scythian Invasion-Nineveh destroyed—

The King of Egypt defeated at Carchemish-NEBUCHADNEZZAR

-Takes Jerusalem-Carries away the principal Inhabitants into

Captivity-Makes Zedekiah King-He rebels-Jerusalem again

taken, and destroyed-Tyre taken, after a Siege of thirteen Years

-Egypt conquered-Nebuchadnezzar greatly improves Babylon

by many splendid Erections-Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the

great Image Explained by Daniel-Its wonderful Revelations-

The golden Image-Extraordinary Measures adopted for its Dedica-

tion-Heroism of the three Hebrews-Glorious Revelation of the

Son of God-Important Results of this Divine Interposition-The

Dream of a great Tree-Its Interpretation and Accomplishment—

Noble Acknowledgment of the King—His Prophecy and Death—

EVIL-MERODACH King-Liberates Jehoiachin from Prison-

Neriglissar reigns-Forms a Combination against Media-He is

slain in Battle-LABOROSARCHOD reigns-The BELSHAZZAR of

the Book of Daniel-His Youth and Cruelty-He profanes the

sacred Vessels-Is slain-DARIUS takes theKingdom, and appoints

LABYNETUS Viceroy of Babylon-He rules subject to Media—

Declares himself independent-Is defeated in Battle-Babylon

taken by CYRUS-Labynetus taken at Borsippa, and sent into

Carmania-Termination of the Babylonian Monarchy. NOTES.

The Era of Nabonassar-Probable State of the political Relation

of Babylon to Assyria prior to the Reign of Nabopolassar-The

Punishment of Zedekiah-The Median Princess whom Nebuchad-

nezzar married, the Queen Nitocris-The Magnitude and Splendour

of Babylon-The chronological Succession of Babylonish Kings

after Nebuchadnezzar-The Geography of Borsippa, where Laby-

netus took Refuge The Fulfilment of sacred Prophecy in the

History of Babylon

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249

CHAPTER V.

THE RELIGION OF THE ASSYRIANS AND BABYLONIANS.

BABYLON the Seat of the first post-diluvian Apostasy--Peculiar religious

Position of Babylon and Assyria-Epiphanius on the early Declen-

sion of Religion-Information contained in his Statement-Frag-

ment of Damascius-Its important Teaching-The Chaldæan

Oracles exhibit the same Fact-A Triad consisting of the Great

Mother, Father, and Only-begotten Son-Further Developement

of Chaldæan Mythology-Chaldæan Deities-Their Origin and

Peculiarities-Worship of the heavenly Bodies, and of Fire-

Chaldæan and Assyrian Idolatry began with Hero and Demon-

Worship in the Form of Triads-Mr. Faber on this Subject-

Symbolical Representation of the great Triad-Other Symbols--

Assarac--Cherubic Figures-The sacred Tree-A Garden called

"Paradise" attached to each royal Palace-The Palace itself a

sacred Temple-Doubts of Layard-Elaborate Proof of Fergusson

-The King revered as a Divine Person-Proof of this-Manner

in which the Kings evinced their Claim to this Character-This

Idea shown to pervade the whole System-Remarkable Identity of

Character which the Religion of Assyria and Babylon maintained

through so many Ages-General Views-Gradual Declension in

Theology-Worship of Fire-The Results of Hebrew Intercourse

and Divine Interposition on the Religion of these Countries-