DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7416#0058
48
Candid polytheist of ancient Greece and Rome thought, like the mo-
dern Hindoo, that all rites of worship and forms of devotion were
directed to the same end ; though in different modes, and through
different channels. " Even they who worship other gods," says
the incarnate Deity in an ancient Indian poem, " worship me al-
though they know it not."1
63. By this universal expansion of the creative Spirit, every pro-
duction of earth, water, and air, participated in its essence; which
was continually emanating from, and reverting back to its source in
various modes and degrees of progression and regression, like water
to and from the ocean. Hence not only men, but all animals, and
even vegetables, were supposed to be impregnated with some par-
ticles of the Divine nature ; from which their various qualities and
dispositions, as well as their powers of propagation, were thought
to be derived. These appeared to be so many different emanations
of the Divine power operating in different modes and degrees, ac-
cording to the nature of the substances with which they were com-
bined : whence the characteristic properties of particular animals
and plants were regarded, not only as symbolical representations,
but as actual emanations of the supreme Being, consubstantial with
his essence, and participating in his attributes.1 For this reason,
the symbols were treated with greater respect and veneration, than
vow 5e tis et-nw eiecti, Ka.0a.Trep rots £*wots Kai ry (pvaei, tov amor Kai tov KocTfiov
teat tt}S Ta£ews Trao-rjs. Ibid.
apxalos Mey ow tis \oyos Kai irarptos crri ixacriv avdponrois, dis eK Qeov to. iravra. Kai
Zia. 8sov ?/cui/ (rvvc&TTiKev' ouh'efj.ia 5e (pvffis avrrj tcaO' kavrt]v avrapK-qs, eprjfxc^Oeirra t17j
CK tovtov GOiT-qpias' Slo Kai tuv TraXaiiov eiiretv Tives TvporixQilo'av, Tavra ccttc Travra,
Beav irXeci, k. t. \. Pseud. Aristot. do Mundo. c. vi.
Principio ccelura ac terras, camposque liquentes,
Litceiitemqtie globum Luna;, Tilaniaque astra,
Spirittis intus alit; totamque infusa per artus
Mens agitat molein, et niagno se corpore miseet.'
Indc hominura pecudmnque genus, vita:que volantum,
Et qua; marnicreo fert monstra sub xquore pontus.
» Virgil, .Eneid. vi. 724.
See also Plutarch, in Rom. p. 70. &'Cicer. de Divinit. lib. ii. c. 49.
1 Bagvatgeeta.
* Proclus in Theol. lib. i. p. 56 & 7.
Candid polytheist of ancient Greece and Rome thought, like the mo-
dern Hindoo, that all rites of worship and forms of devotion were
directed to the same end ; though in different modes, and through
different channels. " Even they who worship other gods," says
the incarnate Deity in an ancient Indian poem, " worship me al-
though they know it not."1
63. By this universal expansion of the creative Spirit, every pro-
duction of earth, water, and air, participated in its essence; which
was continually emanating from, and reverting back to its source in
various modes and degrees of progression and regression, like water
to and from the ocean. Hence not only men, but all animals, and
even vegetables, were supposed to be impregnated with some par-
ticles of the Divine nature ; from which their various qualities and
dispositions, as well as their powers of propagation, were thought
to be derived. These appeared to be so many different emanations
of the Divine power operating in different modes and degrees, ac-
cording to the nature of the substances with which they were com-
bined : whence the characteristic properties of particular animals
and plants were regarded, not only as symbolical representations,
but as actual emanations of the supreme Being, consubstantial with
his essence, and participating in his attributes.1 For this reason,
the symbols were treated with greater respect and veneration, than
vow 5e tis et-nw eiecti, Ka.0a.Trep rots £*wots Kai ry (pvaei, tov amor Kai tov KocTfiov
teat tt}S Ta£ews Trao-rjs. Ibid.
apxalos Mey ow tis \oyos Kai irarptos crri ixacriv avdponrois, dis eK Qeov to. iravra. Kai
Zia. 8sov ?/cui/ (rvvc&TTiKev' ouh'efj.ia 5e (pvffis avrrj tcaO' kavrt]v avrapK-qs, eprjfxc^Oeirra t17j
CK tovtov GOiT-qpias' Slo Kai tuv TraXaiiov eiiretv Tives TvporixQilo'av, Tavra ccttc Travra,
Beav irXeci, k. t. \. Pseud. Aristot. do Mundo. c. vi.
Principio ccelura ac terras, camposque liquentes,
Litceiitemqtie globum Luna;, Tilaniaque astra,
Spirittis intus alit; totamque infusa per artus
Mens agitat molein, et niagno se corpore miseet.'
Indc hominura pecudmnque genus, vita:que volantum,
Et qua; marnicreo fert monstra sub xquore pontus.
» Virgil, .Eneid. vi. 724.
See also Plutarch, in Rom. p. 70. &'Cicer. de Divinit. lib. ii. c. 49.
1 Bagvatgeeta.
* Proclus in Theol. lib. i. p. 56 & 7.