and mercy; a creed which demanded human worship for a sinless God, but did
not invite human faith in a loving Redeemer; and, consequently, a creed which
left untouched the deepest springs and most responsive chords of our humanity.
Both the excellencies and the short-comings of Magianism are shown in the
confessions and prayers included in the Zendavesta. For example, there is much
that is elevated and noble in the following, yet its tone is curiously Pharisaical,
and may be contrasted with that of Ben Jonson’s verses. Instead of being the
aspiration of a sinful soul after forgiveness, and a reaching forth towards love
and light, it is the self-eulogium of a mind confident in its own sustaining power,
and to appreciate its weakness we need only to contrast it with the fervour of a
David or a S. Paul. We remember that the Hebrew king exclaimed: “My heart
panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from
me,” and how the Apostle confessed himself “the chief of sinners.” With no such
aching consciousness of weakness does the Zarathustrian bow himself before
God. There is all the pride of self-righteousness in his prayer. Thus:
“I remain standing fast in the statutes of the law which Ahura-Mazda gave to
Zarathustra. As long as life endures I will stand fast in good thoughts in my soul,
in good words in my speech, in good deeds in my actions. With all good am I in
harmony, with all evil am I at variance. With the punishments of the future life I
am content. I have taken hold of good thoughts, words, and works. I have
forsaken evil thoughts, words, and works. May the power of Ahriman be broken!
may the reign of Ahura-Mazda increase!”
And again:
“I am steadfast in this faith, and turn myself not away from it, for the sake of a
happy life, or for the sake of a longer life, nor for power, nor for a kingdom. If I
must give up my body for the sake of my soul, I give it willingly. I believe
firmly in the good Mazda-yusaian faith; in the Resurrection; in the bridge of
souls,[20] in the invariable reward of good deeds and punishment of bad deeds, in
the everlasting continuance of paradise and the annihilation of hell; and I believe
that, at the last, Ahura-Mazda will be victorious, and Ahrimanes will perish with
the Devs, and all the children of darkness.... I am full of hope that I shall attain to
Paradise and the shining Garathânan, where all majesty dwelleth. I make this
confession in the hope that I may hereafter become more zealous to accomplish