the followers of Basilides of Alexandria, one of the most eminent leaders of the Gnostics, who lived near the beginning of the second century. It has commonly been said that he held the body of Christ to be a mere phantom, and that he gave his form to Simon the Cyrenian, who was crucified in his stead. We learn from Eusebius that Basilides wrote twenty-four books upon the Gospel, of which some fragments are extant, and that he forged several prophets, to two of which he gave the names of Barcaba and Barcoeph. A Gospel of Basilides is mentioned by Origen, Ambrose, and Jerome. The Basilidians held much the same opinions with the Valentinians, another branch of the Gnostic family. They asserted that all the actions of men are necessary; that faith is a natural gift, to which men are forcibly determined; and that however irregular or vicious may be their lives, they are nevertheless sure to be saved. Irenaeus and others assure us that they acted in perfect consistency with their principles, committing all manner of villanies and impurities, in confidence of their natural election. It however appears that, whatever opinions his followers may have held, Basilides himself recommended purity of life and the practice of piety; and that he supposed the man Jesus and Christ united to constitute the Saviour. (Mosheim, de Rel. Christ., &c. pp. 342-361.) The Basilidians believed in a hierarchy of divine persons, or Æons. Under the cabalistical name Abraxas, they are believed to have worshipped the supreme God, from whom, as a principle, all other things proceeded. There are still extant gems inscribed with the word Abraxas, and which were probably used as amulets against diseases and evil spirits. See Abraxas.