503:1] From
this decree, the identity of the worship of the _Celestial Lamb_ and the
Christian Saviour is certified beyond the possibility of doubt, and the
mode by which the ancient superstitions were propagated is
satisfactorily shown. Nothing can more clearly prove the general
practice than the order of a council to regulate it.

The worship of the constellation of _Aries_ was the worship of the Sun
in his passage through that sign. "This constellation was called by the
ancients the _Lamb of God_. He was also called the _Saviour_, and was
said to save mankind from their sins. He was always honored with the
appellation of _Dominus_ or _Lord_. He was called _The Lamb of God which
taketh away the sins of the world_. The devotees addressed him in their
litany, constantly repeating the words, '_O Lamb of God, that taketh
away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Grant us thy peace._'"

On an ancient medal of the _Phenicians_, brought by Dr. Clark from
Citium (and described in his "Travels," vol. ii. ch. xi.) this _Lamb of
God_ is described with the CROSS and the ROSARY, which shows that they
were both used in his worship.

Yearly the SUN-GOD, as the zodiacal horse (Aries) was supposed by the
Vedic Aryans _to die to save all flesh_. Hence the practice of
sacrificing horses. The "guardian spirits" of the prince Sakya Buddha
sing the following hymn:

"Once when thou wast the _white horse_,[504:1]
In pity for the suffering of man,
Thou didst fly across heaven to the region of the evil demons,
_To secure the happiness of mankind_.
Persecutions without end,
Revilings and many prisons,
_Death and murder_;
These hast thou suffered with love and patience,
_Forgiving thine executioners_."[504:2]

We have seen, in Chapter XXXIII., that Christ Jesus was also symbolized
as a _Fish_, and that it is to be seen on all the ancient Christian
monuments. But what has the Christian Saviour to do with a _Fish_? Why
was he called a _Fish_? The answer is, _because the fish was another
emblem of the_ SUN. Abarbanel says:

"The sign of his (Christ's) coming is the junction of Saturn
and Jupiter, _in the Sign Pisces_."[504:3]

Applying the astronomical emblem of _Pisces_ to Jesus, does not seem
more absurd than applying the astronomical emblem of the Lamb. They
applied to him the monogram of the Sun, IHS, the astronomical and
alchemical sign of Aries, or the ram, or Lam