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I Intend not to make any Apology for this Book: If it cannot justifie it self from the idle asper∣sions of its enemies. I shall freely consent that it may undergo their Censures; neither do I intend to court my Reader, nor persuade him to the perusal of it. I shall only say this, that what others have imperfectly menti∣oned in several Treatises, and much more, is here in this one Volume briefly compre∣hended without much Interpretation I
confess, for I look upon such Expositions as have been already given to the Fables of the Heathen Gods, as the silly producti∣ons and groundless fancies of Religious Minds, who have laboured to find in the ignorance of Paganism, the knowledges of the Gospel. In the contrivances and in∣spirations of the Devil, the sublimest Mysteries of Christianity. Such Inter∣preters of the Poets, are near related to that wise Expositor of the Revelations, who would needs declare the meaning of the Visions of S. John, by certain Cha∣racters found upon the back of some Fishes taken near the Northern Pole. The wit of Man may stretch out a comparison be∣tween Light and Darkness, between Vir∣tue and Vice, between Christianity and Gentilism; But I see no reason to believe that the latter was a favourer of the for∣mer. The Devils, who were the first promoters of Poetical Inventions, had mistaken their Interest; If, they ha•• taught their Worshippers the Redemption of Man by Christ, and entertained them in an expectation of a Messias to come. Some wise Heathens ashamed of their Re∣ligion, have endeavoured to Allegoris••
upon all the Fables, and cover the impu∣dent stories with a virtuous gloss, as Averroes that Mahumetan Philosopher hath done with the Alcoran of his Pro∣phet for the same cause. The Grand de∣sign of Satan the enemy of Man-kind, was, to oppose Gods Promises of Salvati∣on, and to settle his Interest amongst men, by possessing them with Stories, and a Be∣lief contrary to the Gospel of Christ, and by promoting such Practices as might engage Men in his service, and cause them to abhor the sanctity and purity of Christi∣anity. And if these Fables have any thing of reality and truth, They discover more of the estate of the Devils amongst them∣selves, than the wonders of Nature; for we are informed from the Learned Hea∣thens, that they did worship the Devils. Porphyrius acknowledgeth it, and la∣ments, because, since the Preaching of the Gospel Men could not have so much familiarity with them, nor receive from them Instructions, as before. Plato, and his disciples d•• call the Heathen Gods, Jupiter, & the rest, Daemones. Besides others divide them into 3 Orders: The highest is above all Elemental substances, with which their
Beings have not the least relation; The second are appointed for the ruling and rouling of the Celestial Globes; The third are scattered amongst the Elements ac∣cording * 1.1 to the Doctrine of the Heathen Philosophers. Jupiter himself was named 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as Lactan∣tius tells us out of the Pagan Writers; and Beelzebub, stiled in Scripture the Prince of the Devils, is said to be Jupiter by the Heathens; for Jupiter is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Muscarius, or the driver a∣way of Flies, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the killer of Flies; Because the Flies are Creatures formed by his immediate Agen∣cie, or because the Sun, by whose heat also such Beings are produced, seem to have been committed before the apostacyof the Angels, to the power of him that is now the chief of the Devils; for that cause he is so often named Apollo, Mithra, Osiris, Tha∣ramis, &c. and the Epithetes proper to the Sun, are ascribed to Jupit. as Fulminator▪ for by the Virtue and Influence of the Sun, the Thunders, and all other Meteors, are formed in the second Region of the Air. Diespiter, the Father of the Day. Luce∣tius, because the Sun is the author of
Light, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Lucifer, Aethreus, Panomphaeus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Aristaeus, Ara∣trius, * 1.2〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because the Sun is the Universal Cause of Life, and of Motion. These Epithetes attributed to Jupiter, have a relation to * 1.3the Sun; therefore we may conclude from thence, that Jupiter and the Sun, or the Princes of the Devils, are the same in * 1.4the Theology of the Heathens. The rest of the Gods or Devils, associates of Beel∣zebub, and subject to his power, do also bear the names of the most Glorious Stars * 1.5of the Firmament. They did usurp these names as some do imagine, because in the time of their Integrity, they had been the moving Angels of these great Bodies of Light; or because they were persuaded by that means to oblige the Men of the World to their Worship and Service. The Host of Heaven is called in Holy Writ, * 1.6and by the 70. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which Suidas understands to be a number of Stars in the Zodiack. Now the learned Ra∣bins, who have searcht most into the nature and manner of the living of the Spiritual Beings, do inform us, that there is an order of Angels called Mazouroth, the lowest
order, or that which is degenerated into Devils. It seems that they did yet bear the name of the places from whence they are shamefully fallen, and do make use of the blessed Influences and universal credit of the most beneficial Stars, to procure to themselves the Homages of mortal beings.
That the Gods of the Heathens were the Devils, or Apostate Angels, may also appear from the express words of Scri∣pture. The Heathens are said to have worshipped the Devils in many places, Deut. 32. 17. They Sacrificed unto De∣vils. 1 Cor. 10. 20. The things which the Gentiles Sacrifice; they Sacrifice to Devils, and not unto God. Psal. 106. 37. It is said that the Israelites did offer their Children unto Devils, and in the 65. of Isaias 11. ver. there is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, * 1.7preparing a Table for Jupiter, or for Gad, Jupiter and Gad were the same. This passage is rendred thus by the Seventy Interpreters, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, where you see that Jupiter, and the Star Gad worshipped, as the chief God of that place, are ex∣presly called the Devil. He was also ado∣red
in the shape of a Goat. The Aegypti∣ans * 1.8did represent the Sun in their Hiero∣glyphicks as a Goat; from hence it is * 1.9 that they did pay so much respect to the Image of this Animal. Of this kind of Worship Moses speaks, Leviticus 17. 7. They shall no more offer their Sacri∣fices unto Devils. In Hebrew, there is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Goats. It seems that this wor∣shiping of the Sun in the form of a Goat, was the worshiping of the great Devil. It was his custom to advance his Interest, and persuade the Nations to adore him instead of God, by causing the names and the Beings most in favour with the People to be cryed up and worshiped. In all the Eastern Nations, he bears several dif∣ferent Titles: In Rome he was called Jupiter, in Graecia 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Persia, Mi∣thra; in Phoenicia, Baal; in Syria, Heliogabalus; in England, Thor, or Belenus; in Egypt, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as Plato saith; or Apis and Osiris; in India Topan; in Arabia, Dyonusos; in Scy∣thia, Mars; in Moab, Chemos. We must take notice of this particular, other∣wise we shall find our selves intangled in the ordinary confusion of Names of Gods,
* 1.10 which appear in the Mythologists, and shall not be able to discover any sence. We are therefore by the chief God, worship∣ed in every place, to understand the Chief & Prince of the Apostate Angels. He did suffer his fellow Devils to share with him in the respects of the nations, but they were not so universally adored, because their power and inspection was not so universal as his; Therefore the Scripture puts a no∣table difference between the Gods of the several Nations of the East. In every place of the world these evil Spirits had usurped Gods Rights, and the Peoples De∣votions, and had drawn them to Sacri∣fice unto them, Creatures and humane victims. According to this opinion, there∣fore we are to look upon many of the Fa∣bles of the Gods, as mysterious discove∣ries of the Estate of the Devils amongst themselves, when they speak of Marriages and Alliances between them, they do then shew unto us some real Truths, with a con∣descention to our weak Capacities, and to our manner of expression. I will not venture to particularise any of these My∣steries, nor offer to interpret things, of which we have but strong conjectures and
a probable opinion. I shall only say that the Dispositions of these several De∣vils, are clearly manifest in their manner of Worship, in the Sacrifices that they did require, and in the things ascribed to their tuition. Jupiter, the Emperor of Heaven is the chief, and the most power∣ful * 1.11of all the Devils, stiled in holy Writ the Prince of the Air; and by the Poets he is called Olympius, because he delights in the highest places. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because he hath so many Legions of wicked Angels at his command. Martius, because he did encourage War & Blood-shed amongst Men. Hospitalis, Aristaeus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and other good names were given unto him, to signifie some remains of Virtue and Good∣ness which are yet in this Prince of Dark∣ness. Juno his Wife, as I conceive, is another Devil far inferior in power and authority, related to him in a manner proper to their spiritual Beings, fierce and cruel, an encourager of Pride and wan∣toness, whereof the Peacock, dedicated to this Goddess, was an Emblem. Apollo seems to be a Devil excelling in Beauty, Knowledge, and Wisdom, the rest of his Comrades. Neptunus, is some Spirit that
delights in Ship-wracks; and amongst the Storms and Billows of the raging Sea, therefore he is named 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Com∣mander of the Sea, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Famous in the Sea; and the Epithetes proper to this Element, are ascribed to him, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Pluto is some infernal Fiend that is ashamed to behold the Light; therefore the rest of the Devils have assigned unto him Hell, or the concavities of the Earth for his abode. Mars, the God of War, encourageth the effusion of Blood. This intimates his cru∣elty and tyrannical disposition. I could run over the rest of the Gods, worshipped by the Pagans, but this general intimation may sufficiently discover unto the judici∣ous Reader the other truths of the Fables.
I think that this may be another reason of the frequent Relations between the Hea∣then Gods that are all allied one to ano∣ther. If they had not been discovered un∣to us in this manner, the Devil could not have recommended the foul practice of those Vices; which are described in their stories; for as the miscarriages of our lives, do depend upon our relations to one another, or to God our Creator: The
Devil could not have proposed a perfect example of those actions, nor encouraged us to the imitation of them, if he had not invented the same Relations between the Apostate Angels, as are between Men. Therefore these stories of the Heathen Gods, are not only a real declaration of certain secrets concerning the estate of the evil Spirits, and the works of Nature, but many of them are ingenious Fables, contrived by the Devil, and delivered to the Poets to discredit Virtue, and cause Vice to raign with authority amongst Men; for when the Divinities whom they did worship, were guilty of such misdemea∣nors, when such as had power to punish, were the grand abettors and protectors of their vicious actions, they could neither think it a shameful nor a dangerous thing to obey their suggestions, and follow their Examples. By this means the Enemy of Man-kind did labour to destroy the works of God, and to deface the beautiful Image of our Creator imprinted in our Souls, with all manner of Vices. The Devils did ad∣mit into their Society and to their Divine Honors many brave Souls when they were departed ont of the world.
Our Learned Jesuite hath here given an account of these Fables, with the ordi∣nary interpretation in some places where they relate to Nature, and to its Myste∣ries. And because he had omitted seve∣ral things, tending to the understanding of the Poets, I have supplyed what was wanting in him.
The other Treatises will be no less use∣ful to the same purpose; for several An∣cient Authors do make frequent allusions to the Roman Antiquities, and to the Hieroglyphicks of Egypt. Therefore, without the knowledge of these things ma∣ny thousand passages of the Poets and Hi∣storians, are as obscure, as unknown paths to the blind.
Some of these things have been already collected in English, I confess, but how, and in what manner, I leave to the Rea∣ders judgement. In this Work I have endeavoured to render these Poetical sto∣ries, and this Scholastick kinde of Learn∣ing, fit for the perusal of judicious men, as well as of young students. Some things are related in a different manner accord∣ing to different Opinions of the best Au∣thors.
Vale. M. D.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Abaddon, Wh ose hands are stained with Blood. Paus. Arcad. l. 1.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Alexand.
Jupiter dicitur lucetius quia luce nos adjuvat Gell.
Jupiter est au∣thor luck Ma∣crob. lib. Sat.
Lucifer, is the name of the chief Devil a∣mongst Chri∣stians.
Euseb. de praep. Evang. lib. 4. cap. 9.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Suidas.
Our Version saith: That pre∣pare a Table for a Troop, or for Gad.
Maimonid. lib. 3. c. 40.
The Devils did persuade many nations to wor∣ship the Beast that was instru∣mental to mans Apostacy, that is, the Serpent. The Egyptians did imagine it to have an im∣mortal nature Celius Lamprid. saith of Heliog. Aegyptios dra∣cuncu••os Romae habuit quos illi agathodaemonas appellant.
and Euse••. in praepar. Evang. lib. 1.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
And all nations did honour he Serpents, be∣cause they did imagane they had something of Divinity in them.
From hence it is that the Wor∣thies, who did desire to be esteemed more than Men did invent, that the Serpents had begotten them. See Justin of Alexander.
Varro saith that Jupiter is a God of Palestine, be∣cause the name is derived from Jah, or Jehovah the holy name of Almighty God.