Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
corresponding equally with the days of the year , and the number of heavens which were believed to be contained in universal space between the earth and the hi g hest empyrean . Each of these celestial abodes , according to the doctrine then in vogue , was created and governed by an angel ; ancl they ascended gradually in the scale of power and
intelligence , till they arrived at the first princip le or primogenial mind , which was Abraxas or God . From this Being emanated the next inferior grade , who was denominated Logos or the Word ; from Logos proceeded Phronesis or Prudence . This introduced Sophia and Dynamis , Wisdom and Strength —and so onto the number of 365 .
, By the seven letters in this word was signified the seven angels , symbolized in the seven planets . St . Jerome thinks that Abraxas meant the sun , whicli accomplishes its annual course in 365 days . But this application would not be authentic , if Gassendus be ri g ht , for he writes the word Abrsax with six letters only . Pignorius says , that on some
crystals or gems the word is Abrasax , and that the three first letters denoted the Hebrew words Ab , Ben , Rouath ; and , on this hint , the whole word has been improved by Monkish writers into a distich , describing the plan of human salvation—thus , A Ab Pater . . 1
. . . . B . . Ben . . Filius . . 2 P • KakaLh i SpiritusSanctus , 100 A . . Avdpamovs homines . . 1 2 . . cra- ' Qcv . salvans . . 200 A . i .. ay cat . . per sacrum . 1 S . . i-vh . a . . lignum . . 60
365 . Joseph Scaliger had an Abraxas in his possession , and Peireskius very many . They were symbols of the angels or presidents of the seven heavens , Michael , Gabriel , Uriel , Raphael , Ananael , Prosoraiel , Yabsoe—which names were
inscribed upon them , together with the figures of men , beasts , fowls , p lants and stars . Abraxas is represented with the bod y of a man , having a buckler on bis left arm , and a sword in his ri g ht hand , as ensigns of power , and with serpents instead of feet . I subjoin , from the first edition of Hutchinson ' s S p irit of Masonry , the drawing of a Basilidean VOL . VII . S S
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
corresponding equally with the days of the year , and the number of heavens which were believed to be contained in universal space between the earth and the hi g hest empyrean . Each of these celestial abodes , according to the doctrine then in vogue , was created and governed by an angel ; ancl they ascended gradually in the scale of power and
intelligence , till they arrived at the first princip le or primogenial mind , which was Abraxas or God . From this Being emanated the next inferior grade , who was denominated Logos or the Word ; from Logos proceeded Phronesis or Prudence . This introduced Sophia and Dynamis , Wisdom and Strength —and so onto the number of 365 .
, By the seven letters in this word was signified the seven angels , symbolized in the seven planets . St . Jerome thinks that Abraxas meant the sun , whicli accomplishes its annual course in 365 days . But this application would not be authentic , if Gassendus be ri g ht , for he writes the word Abrsax with six letters only . Pignorius says , that on some
crystals or gems the word is Abrasax , and that the three first letters denoted the Hebrew words Ab , Ben , Rouath ; and , on this hint , the whole word has been improved by Monkish writers into a distich , describing the plan of human salvation—thus , A Ab Pater . . 1
. . . . B . . Ben . . Filius . . 2 P • KakaLh i SpiritusSanctus , 100 A . . Avdpamovs homines . . 1 2 . . cra- ' Qcv . salvans . . 200 A . i .. ay cat . . per sacrum . 1 S . . i-vh . a . . lignum . . 60
365 . Joseph Scaliger had an Abraxas in his possession , and Peireskius very many . They were symbols of the angels or presidents of the seven heavens , Michael , Gabriel , Uriel , Raphael , Ananael , Prosoraiel , Yabsoe—which names were
inscribed upon them , together with the figures of men , beasts , fowls , p lants and stars . Abraxas is represented with the bod y of a man , having a buckler on bis left arm , and a sword in his ri g ht hand , as ensigns of power , and with serpents instead of feet . I subjoin , from the first edition of Hutchinson ' s S p irit of Masonry , the drawing of a Basilidean VOL . VII . S S