in Ecclesiastical History, a sect of Christian heretics, in the reign of the emperor Anastasius, and the pontificate of Symmachus, about the year 494, so called from Angelium, a place in the city of Alexandria, where they held their first meetings. They were called likewise Severites, from one Severus, who was the head of their sect; as also Theodofians, from one

(a) This opinion seems to have been originally occasioned by some copies of the Septuagint, which, in the days of St Austin, had in this place the angels of God. Lactantius supposes the angels, who were guilty of this enormity, had been sent down by God to guard and take care of mankind; and being endowed with free-will, were charged by him not to forfeit the dignity of their celestial nature, by defiling themselves with the corruptions of the earth; but that the devil at length enticed them to debauch themselves with women. He adds, that, not being admitted into heaven by reason of the wickedness into which they had plunged themselves, they fell down to the earth, and became the devil's ministers; but that those who were begotten by them, being neither angels nor men, but of a middle nature, were not received into hell, no more than their parents were into heaven. Hence arose two kinds of demons, celestial and terrestrial. These are unclean spirits, the authors of whatever evils are committed, and whose prince is the devil. From hence very probably proceeded the notions of Incubi, or demons who are supposed to have carnal knowledge of women.