nostics in general, p. 179, &c. Cerinthus, p. 196--202. Basilides, p.
352--361. Carpocrates, p. 363--367. Valentinus, p. 371--389 Marcion, p.
404--410. The Manichaeans, p. 829-837, &c.]

I. A laudable regard for the honor of the first proselyte has
countenanced the belief, the hope, the wish, that the Ebionites, or
at least the Nazarenes, were distinguished only by their obstinate
perseverance in the practice of the Mosaic rites.

Their churches have disappeared, their books are obliterated: their
obscure freedom might allow a latitude of faith, and the softness of
their infant creed would be variously moulded by the zeal or prudence of
three hundred years. Yet the most charitable criticism must refuse
these sectaries any knowledge of the pure and proper divinity of Christ.
Educated in the school of Jewish prophecy and prejudice, they had never
been taught to elevate their hopes above a human and temporal Messiah.
[2] If they had courage to hail their king when he appeared in a
plebeian garb, their grosser apprehensions were incapable of discerning
their God, who had studiously disguised his celestial character under
the name and person of a mortal. [3] The familiar companions of Jesus
of Nazareth conversed with their friend and countryman, who, in all the
actions of rational and animal life, appeared of the same species with
themselves. His progress from infancy to youth and manhood was marked by
a regular increase in stature and wisdom; and after a painful agony
of mind and body, he expired on the cross. He lived and died for the
service of mankind: but the life and death of Socrates had likewise been
devoted to the cause of religion and justice; and although the stoic
or the hero may disdain the humble virtues of Jesus, the tears which he
shed over his friend and country may be esteemed the purest evidence of
his humanity. The miracles of the gospel could not astonish a people who
held with intrepid faith the more splendid prodigies of the Mosaic
law. The prophets of ancient days had cured diseases, raised the dead,
divided the sea, stopped the sun, and ascended to heaven in a fiery
chariot. And the metaphorical style of the Hebrews might ascribe to a
saint and martyr the adoptive title of Son of God.

[Footnote 2: Jew Tryphon, (Justin. Dialog. p. 207) in the name of his
countrymen, and the modern Jews, the few who divert their thoughts from
money to religion, still hold the same language, and allege the literal
se