J. H. Hill discusses the beginnings of pagan religions and the beliefs of the magi. He talks about the beliefs in nature and the beginnings of astrology. Hill states, "the votaries of the ancient Astral worship divided into two distinct classes, the Esoterics, or Gnostics; and the Exoterics, or Agnostics; the former comprising those who knew that the Gods were mythical and the scriptures allegorical; and the latter, those who were taught that the Gods were real, and the scriptures historical; or, in other words, it was ...
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J. H. Hill discusses the beginnings of pagan religions and the beliefs of the magi. He talks about the beliefs in nature and the beginnings of astrology. Hill states, "the votaries of the ancient Astral worship divided into two distinct classes, the Esoterics, or Gnostics; and the Exoterics, or Agnostics; the former comprising those who knew that the Gods were mythical and the scriptures allegorical; and the latter, those who were taught that the Gods were real, and the scriptures historical; or, in other words, it was philosophy for the cultured few, and religion for the ignorant multitude. The initiates into the secrets of these two systems recognized them as the two Gospels; and Paul must have had reference to them in his Epistle to the Galatians ii., 2 where he distinguishes the Gospel which he preached on ordinary occasions from that Gospel which he preached "privately to them which were of reputation." Astral Worship discusses, "the changes to which the creed and scriptures were subjected during the Middle Ages, and at the Reformation in the sixteenth century, through which they assumed the phases as now taught in the theologies, respectively of Catholicism and Orthodox Protestantism. We also present an article relative to Freemasonry and Druidism; for the purpose of showing that primarily they were but different forms of the ancient Astrolatry. We also devote a few pages to the subjects of the Sabbath, and to that of Pious Frauds."
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