slowest of discovery, and that men are too apt to seek at a distance for that, which lies at their feet.

I will now, then, state my own hypothesis in as few words, and in as clear language, as I can, and then adduce my arguments in its support.

I believe, that the letters IHS and IHC form-not the abbreviated Greek Appellative, Jesus-nor are they, as I think, the initials of Jesus, Hominum Salvator-or Conservator-or Consolator-but that-they are the initial letters of the words, IN HOC SIGNO, and IN HAC CRUCE, (Suppl. vinces-or-victor eris,) and that they bear reference, in their origin, to the miracle of the Cross, (the credibility of which we have just discussed,) and are the latinised version of the Greek Words, ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩ ΝΙΚΑ, which were said to have accompanied the vision of the Cross to Constantine.

It is, I think, very improbable, that the christianised Romans would adopt alone the usage of the Greeks-the monogram and the IHS, the abbreviated appellative, Jesus. It is more probable, that they would be anxious to preserve a memorial of him in their own language. As to the Greek Monogram it does not appear to me necessary to suppose this to be a portion of the vision to Constantine. We have the record alone of the Cross, and the Legend EN TOYTO NIKA; and there is no ground to believe, that the name of our Saviour appeared, on that occasion, covertly couched under the form of an enigmatic monogram.

The allusive monogram R as it thus appears on the coins

of the Roman Emperors, is compounded of the mingled form of a (decussate) cross with the X P-the first two letters of the word XPIETOΣ-Christ. I have now before me a brass of Decentius, in which the monogram, alluded to, is finely exhibited, and bearing, on each side of it, the A and .

In the further support of my hypothesis I now avail myself of a coin of Constantius II., the son of Constantine, (who was, probably, with him in the battle,) on the reverse of which is represented the Emperor standing, and holding in his right hand the Labarum inscribed with the usual sacred monogram, (the mingled Cross and Letters,) whilst a Victory behind him is placing a garland on his head, and the whole is

surrounded with this characteristic legend, (allusive both to the Cross and the sacred monogram,) "Hoc Signo Victor Eris." The similar instance occurs on a coin of Vetranio. Here, then, have we truly the latinised version of the Greek Inscription “ ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩ ΝΙΚΑ,” which is alleged to have accompanied the vision of the Cross-and here, I triumphantly add, we have the proof, that the Romans would not permit the record of this alleged miracle to descend to posterity through the medium of the Greek Language alone. I must now again remind you, gentle reader, that, on the coins of Niceforus and other of the later Greek Emperors, the abbreviated word, Jesus, does appear, as, in these, the portrait of our Saviour is given on the reverse with this legend in barbarous Greek Characters-" IHS XPS REX REGNANTIum". ""Jesus Christ, The King of Kings." Here we have, decidedly, the IHS as the Greek Contraction of Jesus; and I should be wrong to say, that IHS, as these letters appear in ancient Greek MSS., or in the Latin Vulgate, do not mean the word, Jesus. The continuous text will prove it. I admit, that thus, in, comparatively, modern times, the IHS does, occasionally, represent the Greek Abbreviation of the word, Jesus; but, in conceding this to my adversaries, I must addnon constat-that IHS never stand as the initials of "In Hoc Signo," or IHC as those of " In Hac Cruce."

It is a remarkable coincidence, that the letters IHS and IHC (the C being the ancient Sigma) are, equally, referable as the abbreviated word, Jesus-or as the initials of the sentences "In Hoc Signo" and "In Hac Cruce;" and, though it is, strenuously, contended by others, that they designate the above abbreviated name, or are the initials of Jesus, Hominum Salvator, or Conservator, &c., I, with equal firmness, contend that, used, as they are, on our pulpit and altar-cloths, or engraven on our sacramental plate, they are rightly to be understood as the initials of " In Hoc Signo," or as those of " In Hac Cruce." Thus (when taken in connexion with the Cross) I have no doubt, that the early Christians did thus understand them, although their true meaning during the dark ages was lost, and then misapprehended on the revival of learning. I will here observe, that there may have been a well understood, and distinctive, use of the letters IHS, &c., of which we have altogether lost sight-that, when they made their appearance in ancient

MSS. and books with the mark of abbreviation, and interwoven with the continuous text, then they denoted the contracted Greek Appellative, Jesus; but that, when they appeared, detachedly, on ancient crosses, and on the cloths of the altar and pulpit, or engraven on the sacramental plate, they originally, and rightly, stood for " In Hoc Signo," and did not denote an—insulated word!

I will now conclude, gentle reader, (having cleared the way before me of its molesting briars and thorns,) with pressing, I trust, to conviction, the arguments in favour of my own hypothesis. It has been said, that—to regard the letters IHS or IHC as the initials of a sentence is unexampled, yet Brady says, that "The letters to be found on the most ancient crucifixes of INRI are universally agreed to be the initials of the Latin Words, Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judæorum, i. e. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, a title, which PILATE wrote, and affixed to the cross; see John, chap. xix. ver. 19, 20, and 21.”

We have again the A. U. C. for "Anno Urbis Condita"-the ancient Roman chronological date, and we have a yet stronger instance in the symbolical representation of Christ under the figure of a fish, the Ixer, which contained the initials of “ Ιησούς Χριστός, Θεῖ Υιός, Σωτὴρ.” “ Jesus Christ, the Son of Gorl, the Saviour." Thus is this objection abundantly removed.

“

Brady then proceeds to say, that "The S and Ths

on other very ancient crosses are presumed to be abbreviations of JESUS, of which name they are said to be the three first letters in the Greek language; and the straight stroke through the upper part of the is stated to denote abbreviation." I doubt the correctness of such an alleged abbreviation; since, as such, I think, the more proper letters should be the two first and the last of the word; but, if they represent these, then, in my opinion, the abbreviating mark is in a misplaced position—that it should be given at, nearly, the close of the letters.

"The next crosses" (says Brady, again,)" in point of antiquity bear the letters IHC, which the ignorance of former ages considered as the design of the preceding Greek characters, mistaking them for Latin letters, and the mark of abbreviation for a cross. While the more common letters to be found on

crucifixes are IS, which are thought to have been substituted for the original Greek abbreviation of JESUS, by a mistake of a similar nature as to its meaning." Brady here, as it appears to me, himself in error, wrongly attributes to the early Christians, that-they knew not what they were about! He makes the cross stroke in the letter to denote an abbreviation, and yet notices not the decided cross in the IHS! in fact, these letters were inexplicable to him, and, therefore, would not serve his purpose-at all events, he could not even tortuously aver, that the latter cross was a mark of abbreviation, and why should he assert the abbreviation in the one instance and not-in the other? No! gentle reader, they are both palpably meant to denote crosses. Brady testifies, that these letters, thus marked with the cross, are especially to be found on ancient " crucifixes." Where this is the case they may be explained as simply the abbreviation of the word, Jesus; but, if, as I suspect, he has, wrongly, applied the word "crucifixes" to the standard crosses, then we must seek some other meaning for them, but not denotive of his abbreviated name.

I at length arrive, gentle reader, at my concluding, andmay I add ?-conclusive argument. It cannot but be observed, that the IHS on the pulpit and altar-cloths, and on the sacramental plate, is, usually, (and, properly,) pourtrayed with the surmounted Cross, and I herein think, that the mystery of these letters is fully solved. It is very true, that we do find these letters, sometimes, pourtrayed without the cross, but this omission has arisen from the common misinterpretation-from ignorance of their real origin, and intent. As the Cross was exhibited to Constantine, previously to his battle with Maxentius, accompanied with these words, “EN TOYTË NIKA," he was thus told, "Believe in the Cross-have faith on your Saviour, and-thou shalt be Conqueror !" Thus, in after-ages, is the exhibition of IHS, surmounted by the Cross, intended as an encouraging exhortation to the humble, and pious, Christian. The letters IHS-"In Hoc Signo"-form the latinised version of the Greek Inscription (and I have proved, that this inscription was latinised)—the one was the prototype of the otherand the whole (bearing the allusive reference to the appearance

* "Clavis Calendaria," Vol. ii. p. 113.

of the Cross to Constantine) may be considered as thus addressed to the sincere worshipper of Christ-" Look upon the Cross, and bear in mind him, who suffered thereon for your sake-do this, and thou shalt conquer. Repose your faith in him, and -thou shalt be saved."

NOTE 2-(p. 27.)

"Horse." The Arms of Brunswic-Lunenburg are borne in an inescutcheon on the royal arms of England, and are thus, in part, described: "On a point in point, gules, a horse current, argent, for Saxony." This is the achievement of ancient Saxony. Here I feel, that I shall be asked, how came the Saxons to assume the banner of the white horse? The following passage from the page of Tacitus, "De Moribus Germanorum," will, I think, afford the desired explication : "Proprium gentis, Equorum quoque præsagia ac monitus experiri; publicè aluntur iisdem nemoribus ac lucis, candidi & nullo mortali opere contacti, quos pressos sacro curru, sacerdos, ac rex, vel princeps civitatis comitantur, hinnitusque ac fremitus observant, nec ulli auspicio major fides, non solùm apud plebem, sed apud proceres, apud sacerdotes. Se enim ininistros deorum illos conscios putant:"* i. e. "It is the custom of the nation also to seek presages, and warnings, from horses. Those which are white are maintained together at the public expense in the same woods, and groves, and are engaged in no service of man. The priest, or king, or chief man of the state accompany these, when yoked to the sacred chariot: they observe their neighings, and snortings, nor is there greater confidence placed in any augury, not only by the common people, but by the nobles, and priests, for they think, that they are conscious, that they are the servants of the Gods."

Whiteness has, in all ages, and amongst all nations, been esteemed as emblematic of purity. The Virgin Mary is depicted with the lily, and the Vestal Virgins were, amongst the ancient Romans, clothed in white, and thus the white horse was, amongst the ancients, ever held in especial esteem. Instances of this might be adduced in great abundance. The mythologists averred, that the chariot of the Goddess Aurora was drawn by "Taciti Opera," (Edit. Gron.,) tom. secund. p. 605.