177. The telestic life, through a divine fire, removes all the stains, together with every foreign and irrational nature, which the spirit of the soul attracted from generation, as we are taught by the oracle to believe. Z. or T.

178. The oracles of the gods declare that, through purifying ceremonies, not the soul only, but bodies themselves, become worthy of receiving much assistance and health: "For," say they, "the mortal vestment of better matter will by this means be preserved;" and this the gods, in an exhortatory manner, announce to the most holy of Theurgists. Z. or T. 179. We should flee, according to the oracle, the multitude of men going in a herd. Z. or T. 180. Who knows himself, knows all things in himself.

Z.

181. The oracles often give victory to our own choice, and not to the order alone of the mundane periods. As, for instance, when they say, "On beholding yourself, fear ;" and again, "Believe yourself to be above body, and you are ;" and still further, when they assert that "our voluntary sorrows germinate in us as the growth of the particular life we lead." R. or T. 182. These things I revolve in the recluse temples of my mind.

183. As the oracle, therefore, says, "God is never so much turned away from man, and never so much sends him new paths, as when he makes ascent to the most divine of speculations, or works

in a confused or disordered manner, and," as it adds, “with unhallowed lips or unwashed feet. For of those who are thus negligent, the progressions are imperfect, the impulses are vain, and the paths dark.” Z. or T. 184. Not knowing that every god is good, you are fruitlessly vigilant. Z. or T. 185. Theurgists fall not so as to be ranked among the herd that are in subjection to fate.

186. That the number nine is divine, receiving its completion from three triads, and preserving the summits of theology according to the Chaldaic philosophy, as Porphyry informs us.

187. In the left side of Hecate is a fountain of virtue, which remains entire within, not sending forth its virginity.

Z.

188. And the earth bewails them even to their children.

Z.

189. The furies are the constrainers of men.

Z.

190. Lest, being baptized in the furies of the earth, and in the necessities of nature (as some one of the gods says), it should perish. Z. or T.

191. Nature persuades us that there are pure dæmons; even the blossoms of evil matter are useful and good. Z.

192. As yet three days ye shall sacrifice, and no longer.

Z.

193. In the first place, the priest, who governs the works of fire, must sprinkle with the cold water of the loud-sounding sea. Z. or T.

194. Energize about the Hecatic strophalus.

Z.

195. When you shall see a terrestrial dæmon approaching, exclaim, and sacrifice the stone Mnizurin.

Z. 196. If you often invoke me, you shall see all things darkening; for neither does the convex bulk of heaven then appear, nor do the stars shine; the light of the moon is hidden, the earth stands not still, but all things appear in thunders.

Z.

197.. From the cavities of the earth leap forth terrestrial dogs, showing no true sign to mortal man.

198. A similar fire flashingly extending itself into the waves of the air, or even unfigured fire, whence an antecedent voice-or light, rich, glittering, resounding-revolved. But when you see a horse glittering with light, or a boy, carried on the swift back of a horse-fiery, or clothed in gold, or naked, or shooting with a bow, or standing upon horseback. Z. or T.

199. When you behold a secret fire, without form, shining flashingly through the depths of the whole world-hear the voice of fire.

MORAL

MAXIMS OF ZOROASTER.

THE most ancient of all things is God, for he is uncreated; the most beautiful is the world, because it is the work of God; the greatest is space, for it contains all that has been created; the quickest is the mind; the strongest is necessity; the wisest is time, for it teaches to become so; the most constant is hope, which alone remains to man when he has lost every thing; the best is virtue, without which there is nothing good.

It is the decree of the most just God, that men shall be judged according to the good or evil which they shall have done. Their actions will be weighed in the balance of equity. The good will dwell in light.

Honour thy father and thy mother, if thou wishest to live eternal life..

Such as thou art unto thy father, such shall thy children be unto thee.

Honour the aged, and let the youngest always yield unto the oldest.

Never speak ill of the dead.