may have been satisfied by the Testament of Solomon. Origen wrote as follows:—
Next Celsus reverts to the matter of the seven ruling demons, though they are never named by Christians, but are, I believe, accepted by Ophiani. And indeed I have found in a diagram, which I too got possession of through the latter, their order (taxis) set forth agreeably to the exposition of Celsus. For Celsus declares that "the first was shaped like a lion," though he does not declare the name that these most truly impious persons give to him. I, however, have found that that accursed diagram[1] asserts the lion-shaped demon to be Michael, the angel of the Creator that is praised in the holy Scriptures. Again Celsus asserts "the next and second one to be an ox." But the diagram I had said that the ox-shaped one was Suriel. Then Celsus tells us "of a third, amphibious sort of demon who is also hissing in a way that makes you tremble." Well, the diagram declares the dragon-like one to be Raphael. Again Celsus says that "the fourth has the shape of an eagle"; but the diagram calls the eagle-like one Gabriel. Next Celsus asserts "the fifth to have a bear's countenance"; but the diagram asserts the bear-like one to be Thauthabaôth or Onoêl. However, in the diagram I find that he is called Onoêl or Thartharaôth, and that he is actually like an ass in form.
Now I have thought it well to set this and the like forth in an accurate way, lest I should appear to be unaware of what Celsus professes to know. But as a Christian, and as having a more accurate knowledge of the matter than he, I must aver that these are not the doctrines of Christians, but of those who are wholly alien to salvation, and who in no way profess Jesus to be either Saviour, or God, or teacher, or Son of God.
It is clear from the above that Celsus had come across Ophiani and other Gnostics, and had in his book upbraided Christians in general with their absurdities. Origen denies that they were Christians at all who indulged in such vagaries, just as to-day a member of an Established Church would disown acquaintance with Mormons or Shakers. However this may be, the demonology of the Testament closely resembles that of the believers whom Celsus
- ↑ Is it possible that Origen misinterpreted the diagram, and that the angels whose names were written against the animal-shaped demons were the countervailing powers which could frustrate them and defend men from them?
