On the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians

but this is particularly manifest from his Laws. The Golden Verses order that the immortal Gods be honored first, as they are disposed by law; afterwards the illustrious Heroes, under which appellation the author of the verses comprehends also angels and dæmons, properly so called; and in the last place, the terrestrial dæmons, i.e., such good men as transcend in virtue the rest of mankind. But to honor the Gods as they are disposed by law is, as Hierocles observes, to reverence them as they are arranged by their demiurgus Creator or fashioner of the world. and father; and this is to honor them as beings not only superior to man, but also to dæmons and angels. Hence, to honor men, however excellent they may be, as Gods, is not to honor the Gods according to the rank in which they are placed by their Creator; for it is confounding the divine with the human nature, and is thus acting directly contrary to the Pythagoric

be due to the celestial deities, or the supreme God. So that if the distinction of divine worship will excuse from idolatry, the Heathens were not to blame for it.” See Stillingfleet’s Answer to a book entitled Catholics no Idolaters, p. 510, 513, &c.