that "evil spirit," whom the Jews (f) ftyled BEELZEBUL; fignifying "mafter of the coeleftial habitation "—{for zabul denotes the "habitation or manfions of "the Sun and Moon" in particular, those prime objects of heathen idolatry— Habak. iii. 11.) correfponding to BEELSAMEN, among the Syrians, fignifying "mafter of the heavens ;” — and which titles Paul has fo accurately and admirably rendered (f) BEELZEBUL, is ufually derived from Baal or Beel, "mafter," and the Rabbinical or Chaldaic zabal, fignifying "dung."-as if it were a contemptuous epithet. But is it likely that the Pharifees, who admitted the reality of demoniacal poffeffions, and dreaded the power of the "Ruler of the aerial jurisdiction," would have fo provoked his vengeance, upon their own principles ?-Efpecially, when we are told, "that on the day of expiation they offered a goat to Sammael or Satan, that he might not accufe them of their crimes before God, because they believed him to have the power of doing it ;-and this, after their return from the Babylonish captivity; when they are generally, [but mistakenly, ] fuppofed to have been entirely cured of their fondness for idolatry." See Farmar on Miracles, and the authorities he cites, p. 102.-And Farmar 1 66 rendered-Ephef. ii. 2.-Tov aрyouтα THS 880195 78 αEP25" the Ruler of the jurif εξεσίας το αέρος diction of the air," (or atmosphere,)—correfponding to the Grecian and Roman JOVE-" of the Spirit, now operating in the fons of difobedience, whom the Apostle exprefsly ftyles, 2 Cor. iv. 4.— ὁ Θεός το αιώνος τότε, 66 THE GOD OF THIS AGE," (or difpenfation,)-" who blinded the understandings of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the Gospel of the glorified JESUS CHRIST, (who is an IMAGE Farmar is a voucher of authority among the Uni tarians. - Beelzebub is incorrectly substituted for Beelzebul, in the common editions, and verfions of Matt. x. 25.— and fhould be rectified, not only from the beft MSS, but alfo from the context, xii. 24. and parallel paffages. It fignifies "Mafter of the hornet" or "deadly fly," Ecclef. x, 1.-" the Abyffinian dog-fly," Ifa. vii. 18. as zebub is plainly understood.—This was an inferior dæmon, or intelligence of the Starry hoft-Sirius, or intelligence of the Dog-star, in whose fultry feason, of the Dog-days, the bornet or gad-fy rages moft violently. His Oracle was at Ekron, 2 Kings i. 1.— Hence one of the epithets of the Grecian Joveαπομυιος, "averter of flies." 66 30. OF THE DEITY,) might not shine upon them; "—in perfect unison with the express declarations of our LORD, ftyling Satan, ὁ αρχων τε κόσμε τότε, the Ruler of this world," John xii. 31. and xiv. as exercifing a powerful fway therein. And to the officers fent to apprehend Him, he declared, Luke xxii. 53. "This is your hour, and THE AUTHORITY OF THE DARKNESS." 66 The intimate connexion between Oriental and Grecian demonology, is unfolded, by John, Rev. ix. 11. in the mystical name of " the Angel of the abyss ;" which in Hebrew, was Ab-addōn, (or Aub-adōn, fignifying "Lord of deftruction ;") but in Greek, βασιλευς-απολλυων Deftroying King.”—And this admirably corresponds with the Intelligence refiding in the Sun, according to Grecian mythology, ftyled Αναξ Απολλων, in their oldeft poets, Homer and Archilochus; whom the latter thus defcribes : "King Apollo! Perfecute thou the guilty, And to establish the Evangelift's interpretation beyond a doubt, Euripides thus introduces Phaethon, complaining: Ω χρυσοφεγγες Ηλι, ὡς μ' απώλεσας 5 "O golden-torched GOD, how haft thou destroyed me? Whence THEE, Apollo (deftroying) mortals plainly call.". The general title of the Sun, varying in the different dialects of Greece, Aɛλ-¿®, Heλ-1, and 'Hλ-1, is plainly derived from the Hebrew ÁL, fignifying in the abftract," power," whether beneficent or deftructive;—as in Laban's threat to Jacob "It is in the power of mine hand to do you hurt,” (L'æl), Gen. xxxi. 29.; and in the concrete fenfe, " powerful." 66 4. Happily" for mankind, this univerfal perfuafion of the "existence" and "agency of a powerful wicked spirit, has been clearly revealed in THE BIBLE, to forewarn them of their danger; per mitted, under the controul of THE SUPREME BEING, to try and to tempt the fons of men" to fift them as wheat," as our Lord informed the over-confident Peter, Luke xxii. 31.; who has in kindness taught his difciples" to watch and pray that they enter not into temptation" through their own felf-fufficiency-that our HEAVENLY FATHER would not bring us into trial, but deliver us from the wicked."And furely, if the righteous JOB-if ABRAHAM," the friend of God" 66 if JESUS CHRIST," the Son of his love" were brought into trial, for the glorious proof and test of their exemplary faith and refignation-under which they rofe "more than conquerors what "fear and trembling," yet what thankfulness and gratitude should the amazing discovery of our danger and of the means of deliverance work in every thoughtful mind! If it be alarming to know, that "Great is He [prefiding] in the (Infidel) World"-how comfortable is it to learn, |