the act of devoting any thing to the service and worship of God. The Mofaical law ordained, that all the firft-born, both of man and beafi, fhould be sanctified or consecrated to God. We find alfo that Joshua consecrated the Gibeonites, as Solomon and David did the Nethinims, to the servica of the temple; and that the Hebrews fometimes confe- crated their fields and cattle to the Lord, after which they were no longer in their power.

Among the ancient Christians, the consecration of churches was performed with a great deal of pious fe- lemnity. In what manner it was done for the three firft ages, is uncertain; the authentic accounts reaching no higher than the fourth, when, in the peaceable reign of Conftantine, churches were everywhere built, and dedicated with great solemnity. Some think the consecration confifted in setting up the sign of the cross, or in placing a communion table in the church; and others, that no more was done than preaching a panegyrical sermon in commemoration of the founder, and that then they proceeded to prayers, one of which was compofed on purpoife for the church to be confe-

4.B.2

The Romanists have a great deal of pious sop- perty in the ceremonies of consecration; which they be- stow on almost every thing, bells, candles, books, water, oil, ashes, palms, swords, banners, pictures, crosses, aga- nus dei's, roses, children's clouts, &c.

In England, churches have been always consecrated with particular ceremonies, the form of which was left to the discretion of the bishop. That observed by Bi- shop Laud, in consecrating St Catherine Creed church, in London, gave great offence.

is particularly used for the benedic- tion of the elements in the eucharist.

among medals, is the ceremony of the apotheosis of an emperor, or his translation into heaven and reception among the gods. On medals the consecration is thus represented: on one side is the em- peror's head, crowned with laurel, sometimes veiled; and the inscription gives him the title of divus: on the reverse is a temple, a belfry, an altar, or an eagle taking its flight towards heaven, either from off the altar, or from a cippus: at other times the empe- ror is seen in the air, borne up by the eagle; the in- scription always, consecratio. These are the usual sym- bols: yet on the reverse of that of Antoninus is the Antonine column. In the apotheosis of empresses, in- stead of an eagle there is a peacock. As to the ho- nours rendered these princes after death, they were ex- plained by the words consecratio, pater, divus, and deus. Sometimes around the temple or altar are put, memoria felix, or memorie eternae: for princesses, semperitas et fidelibus recepta: on the one side of the head, dea, or Θεά.