But these are all one and the same name, varied by the genius of the different countries. The _centre_ from which they _diverge_, as well as the _focus_ to which they _return_, I have shown to be _Budh_: and as this _symbol_ of his worship is universally recognised, does not the _crucifixion_ thus implied identify his fate with that of the “Lamb slain from the beginning of the world”?[332] The Pythonic _allegory_ which the Greeks have so obscured, in reality originated in this religious transaction. For what is their fable? Is it not that _Apollo_ slew with his _arrow_ the serpent _Python_? And as Apollo means _son of the Sun_, is not the _substance_ of the whole, that the _offspring of a virgin’s womb_--that is, an _emanation of the Sun_, or _Budh_--overcame by his own _death_--typified by an _arrow_--sin and _sensuality_, of which the _serpent_, _i.e._ _pith_, is the symbol? We are now prepared for the reception of that chronicle, transmitted through the Puranas, and noticed already at p. 221, viz. that a “giant, named Sancha-mucha-naga, in the shape of a _snake_, with a _mouth_ like a _shell_, and whose abode was in a _shell_, having _two countenances_, was killed by Christnah.” The _very name_ of this allegoric “giant” indicates the _mysterious snake_--his being in the _form_ of a _snake_ is but the _personification_ of _sensuality_; his having a _mouth_ like a _shell_ alludes to the _concha Veneris_, or the _Pith_; his having his _abode_ in that _shell_ denotes its being the _seat_ of _temptation_; his having _two countenances_ implies the _disguise_ which _sin_ assumes; and his being _slain_ by _Christnah_ denotes that the _Son of God_, by _mortification and self-denial, and the most rigid abstinence from all worldly pleasures_, verified in _His own person the promise made in Paradise_, and for the _minor disquietudes_ which _guilt_ entails--expressed by the “_heel_” being “_bruised_” by the “_serpent_,”--inflicted a _blow_, which laid low his empire, and stamped the signal of _victory_ over his “head.”[333] “Ye search the Scriptures,” says our Saviour “for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which _testify_ of Me.”[334] _Testification_ can be made only in the case of a past occurrence. It is never used in the way of prophecy. And in conformity with its true import, you will find, from Genesis to Revelation, the concurrent tenor of the Sacred Volume giving proof to the fact of Christ’s former appearance upon the earth as man! But suppose me for a moment to descend from this position, and view those previous manifestations as ordinary subjects of history, then hear an outline of what is transmitted to us respecting one of them.