And of whom was he who spoke thus born? It is but the Roman Catholics who have changed Mary, the mother of Jesus, into a _goddess_. In the eyes of all other Christians she was a woman, whether his own birth was immaculate or otherwise. According to strict logic, then, Jesus confessed John _greater_ than himself. Note how completely this matter is disposed of by the language employed by the Angel Gabriel when addressing Mary: “Blessed art thou among _women_.” These words are unequivocal. He does not adore her as the Mother of God, nor does he call her _goddess_; he does not even address her as “Virgin,” but he calls her _woman_, and only distinguishes her above other women as having had better fortune, through her purity. The Nazarenes were known as Baptists, Sabians, and John’s Christians. Their belief was that the Messiah was not the Son of God, but simply a prophet who would follow John. “Johanan, the Son of the Abo Sabo Zachariah, shall say to himself, ‘Whoever will believe in my _justice_ and my BAPTISM shall be joined to my association; he shall share with me the seat which is the abode of life, of the supreme Mano, and of living fire” (_Codex Nazaræus_, ii., p. 115). Origen remarks “there are some who said of John (the Baptist) that he was the _anointed_ (Christus).[375] The Angel Rasiel of the kabalists is the Angel _Gabriel_ of the Nazarenes, and it is the latter who is chosen of all the celestial hierarchy by the Christians to become the messenger of the ‘annunciation.’ The genius sent by the ‘Lord of Celsitude’ is Æbel Zivo, whose name is also called GABRIEL Legatus.”[376] Paul must have had the sect of the Nazarenes in mind when he said: “And last of all he (Jesus) was seen of me also, as _of one born out of due time_” (_1 Corinth._, xv. 8), thus reminding his listeners of the expression usual to the Nazarenes, who termed the Jews “the abortions, or born out of time.” Paul prides himself of belonging to a hæresy.[377]