The Non-Christian Cross - An Enquiry into the Origin and History of the Symbol Eventually Adopted as That of Our Religion by John Denham Parsons
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page 28 of 159 (17%)
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called a sail abide safe in the ship; and the earth is
not ploughed without it: diggers and mechanics do not their work except with tools which have this shape. And the human form differs from that of the irrational animals in nothing else than in its being erect and having the hands extended and having on the face extending from the forehead what is called the nose, through which there is respiration for the living creature; and this shows no other form than that of the cross. And so it was said by the prophet _The breath before our face is the Lord Christ_. And the power of this form is shown by your own symbols on what are called standards and trophies; with which all your processions are made, using these as insignia of your power and government."[15] Elsewhere Justin Martyr declares that the Christ "Was symbolised both by the Tree of Life which was said to have been planted in Paradise, and by those events which should happen to all the just. Moses was sent with a _rod_ to effect the redemption of the people; and with this in his hands at the head of the people he divided the sea. By this he saw the water gushing out of the rock; and when he cast a _tree_ into the waters of Marah, which were bitter, he made them sweet. Jacob by putting _rods_ into the water troughs caused the sheep of his uncle to conceive . . . . Aaron's _rod_ which blossomed declared him to be the High Priest. Isaiah prophesied that a rod would come forth from the root of |
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