AEGYPTII,
the Egyptians. Who were the first of all the Nations that we know of (says Lucian in his Syrian Goddess) that had any knowledge in Divine matters, and who founded Temples, and in∣stituted Mysteries and Ceremonies; for the Assyrians learn'd these things of them some time after, and added to the Worship of the Gods, the Adoration of Idols, because there was none of them at first amongst the Egyptians. These are they (says the same Lu∣cian in his Judicial Astrology) who have cultivated Astrology, measur'd the Course of each Star, and distinguish'd the Year into Months and Seasons, regu∣lating the Year by the Course of the Sun, and the Months by that of the Moon: They divided then Hea∣vens into twelve parts, and represented each Constel∣lation by the Figure of some Animal, from whence comes the Diversity in their Religion; for all the Egy∣ptians did not make use of all the parts of the Hea∣vens for their Gods: Those who observ'd the Proper∣ties of Aries ador'd a Ram, and so of the rest. 'Tis said also that they worship'd the Ox Apis, in memory of the celestial Bull; and in the Oracle, which is consecrated to him, Predictions are taken from the nature of this Sign; as the Africans do from Aries in memory of Jupiter Hammon, whom they ador'd under that figure. The Egyptians worship'd Water in publick, but they had other Gods whom they ador'd in private: Some worship'd a Bull or an Ape; others a Stork or a Crocodile; some worship'd Onions, others a Cat, or a Monster with a Dog's Head; some ador'd the Right Shoulder, others the Left, or half of the Head; and some an Earthen Platter or a Cup. Last∣ly, Diodorus tells us, That they ador'd the Privy Parts; and even the very Excrements, according to Clement, in his fifth Book of Recognitions. Their Custom was to salute their Gods in the Morning, which they call'd Adoration. They sang Hymns to their honour, which were describ'd in Hieroglyphic Cha∣racters upon sacred Parchments, and none but those who were initiated into their Mysteries could read or decy∣pher'em, as being Figures of different Animals, whereof each had its proper Signification, which none else could penetrate into, at least not till they were explain'd.