[129] Numbering as found in vol. viii. of Ante-Nicene Library. Clark’s edition.
[130] Vol. ii. of _Hippolytus and His Age_, page 236.
[131] _Hippolytus and His Age_, by C. C. J. Bunsen, D.C.L., vol. ii., pp. 321-7. London, 1852.
[132] _A Pilgrimage to Rome_, by Rev. M. Hobart Seymore, M.A., p. 537. London, 1848.
[133] _History of the Corruption of Christianity_, by Joseph Priestley, LL.D., F.R.S., vol. ii., p. 111. Birmingham, 1782.
[134] A letter from Rome, by Conyers Middleton, D.D., _Works_, vol. iii., p. 71 ff. London, 1752.
[135] _Orations_, etc., p. 115. Oxford, 1755.
[136] See _The Church Progress and Catholic World_, St. Louis, Mo., July 5, 1890.
This reference to Eusebius should be book x., chap. iv., p. 375 of vol. i. Christian Literature Company’s publications, second series. The description given by Eusebius shows that holy water played an important part in the Christian Church at Tyre, as early as 315 A.D. See also Bingham, _Antiquities_, book viii., chap. iii. The church buildings described by Eusebius and Bingham contained many prominent elements of sun-worship, associated with the water-worship emblems.
[140] _Rome, Pagan and Papal_, by Mourant Brock, M.A., p. 107 ff. London, 1883.
[142] _The Two Babylons_, by Rev. Alexander Hislop, p. 142 ff., seventh edition, London.
Sun-Worship the Oldest and Most Widely Diffused Form of Paganism--Gnostic Antinomianism or Lawlessness--Anti-Judaism, Mainly of Pagan Origin--Anti-Sabbathism and Sunday Observance Synchronous--Anti-Lawism and Anti-Sabbathism Unscriptural--Christ’s Teachings Concerning the Law of God; Paul’s Teachings on the Same--Destructive Effect of Pagan Lawlessness on Christianity.
The sun-god, under various names, Mithras, Baal, Apollo, etc., was the chief god of the heathen pantheon. A direct conflict between him and Jehovah appears wherever paganism and revealed religion came in contact. As “Baal,” “Lord” of the universe and of the productive forces in nature and in man, this sun-god was the pre-eminent divinity in ancient Palestine and throughout Phœnicia. The chosen people of God were assailed and corrupted by this cult, even while they were in the desert,[143] being led away by the women of Moab. During the period of the Judges, Baal-worship was the besetting sin of Israel, which the most vigorous measures could not eradicate.[144] A reformation came under Saul and David, only to be followed by a relapse under Solomon, which culminated in the exclusion of Jehovah-worship under Ahab.[145] Jehu broke the power of the cult, for a time, but the people soon returned to it.[146] It also spread like a virus through Judah; repressed by Hezekiah, but continued by Manasseh.[147]