man
_Mysteries_, and the extraordinary sanctity that was
attributed to them, induced the Christians of the second
century, to give _their_ religion a _mystic_ air, in order to
put it upon an equal footing in point of dignity, with that of
the Pagans. For this purpose they gave the name of _Mysteries_
to the institutions of the Gospels, and decorated particularly
the 'Holy Sacrament' with that title; they used the very terms
employed in the _Heathen Mysteries_, and adopted some of the
rites and ceremonies of which those renowned mysteries
consisted. This imitation began in the eastern provinces; but,
after the time of Adrian, who first introduced the mysteries
among the Latins, it was followed by the Christians who dwelt
in the western part of the empire. A great part, therefore, of
the service of the Church in this--the second--century, had a
certain air of the Heathen Mysteries, and resembled them
considerably in many particulars."[310:1]

_Eleusinian Mysteries_ and _Christian Sacraments Compared_.

1. "But as the benefit of Initiation was great, such as were convicted
of witchcraft, murder, even though unintentional, or any other heinous
crimes, were debarred from those mysteries."[310:2]

1. "For as the benefit is great, if, with a true penitent
heart and lively faith, we receive that holy sacrament, &c.,
if any be an open and notorious evil-liver, or hath done wrong
to his neighbor, &c., that he presume not to come to the
Lord's table."[310:3]

2. "At their entrance, purifying themselves, by washing their hands in
_holy water_, they were at the same time admonished to present
themselves with pure minds, without which the external cleanness of the
body would by no means be accepted."[310:4]

2. See the fonts of _holy water_ at the entrance of every
Catholic chapel in Christendom for the same purpose.

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of
faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience,
and our bodies washed with pure water."[310:5]

3. "The priests who officiated in these sacred solemnities, were called
Hierophants, or '_revealers of holy things_.'"[310:6]

3. The priests who officiate at these Christian solemnities
are supposed to be 'revealers of holy things.'

4. The Pagan Priest dismissed their congregation with these words: