. This, though taken from an idle system of theology, yet
plainly shews, that the history of Perseus had been greatly misapplied and
lowered, by being inserted among the fables of Greece. Writers speak of him
as a great [805]Astronomer, and a person of uncommon knowledge. He
instructed mariners to direct their way in the sea by the lights of heaven;
and particularly by the polar constellation. This he first observed, and
gave it the name of Helice. Though he was represented as a Babylonian; yet
he resided in Egypt, and is said to have reigned at Memphis. To say the
truth, he was worshipped at that place: for Perseus was a title of the
Deity; [806][Greek: Perseus, ho Helios]; _Perseus was no other than the
Sun_, the chief God of the Gentile world. On this account he had a temple
of great repute at [807]Chemmis, as well as at Memphis, and in other parts
of Egypt. Upon the Heracleotic branch of the Nile, near the sea, was a
celebrated watch-tower, denominated from him. His true name was Perez, or
Parez, rendered Peresis, Perses, and Perseus: and in the account given of
this personage we have the history of the Peresians, Parrhasians, and
Perezites, in their several peregrinations; who were no other than the
Heliadae, and Osirians abovementioned. It is a mixed history, in which their
forefathers are alluded to; particularly their great progenitor, the father
of mankind. He was supposed to have had a renewal of life: they therefore
described Perseus as inclosed in an [808]ark, and exposed in a state of
childhood upon the waters, after having been conceived in a shower of gold.

Bochart thinks that the name both of Persis and Perseus was from [Hebrew:
PRS], Paras, an Horse: because the Persians were celebrated horsemen, and
took great delight in that animal. But it must be considered that the name
is very antient, and prior to this use of horses. P'aras, P'arez, and
P'erez, however diversified, signify the Sun; and are of the same analogy
as P'ur, P'urrhos, P'oros, which betoken fire. Every animal, which was in
any degree appropriated to a Deity, was called by some sacred [809]title.
Hence an horse was called P'arez: and the same name, but without the
prefix, was given to a lion by many nations in the east. It was at first
only a mark of reference, and betokened a solar animal, specifying the
particular Deity to whom it was sacred. There were many nations, which were
distinguished in the same manner; some of whom the Greeks styl