The Stoics believed, that there were gods who ruled all things in the world so completely, that man became a mere machine, not answerable for his own conduct; so that he could never be said to do right or wrong: thus they taught, that the only real wisdom was to learn to bear with _indifference_ whatever the gods caused to happen to them, whether it was what men call good or evil, happiness or misery. Both these "systems of philosophy" (or sets of opinions), were equally contrary to all that St. Paul was appointed to teach. We read, "Then certain of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him." But when they had heard, his teaching, "some said, What will this babbler say?"-mocking the Apostle as if he had been talking nonsense, without any meaning, just from a love of "babbling," or talking foolishly. Others said, "He seemeth to be a setter-forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection." So little did all their wisdom help them to understand spiritual things, that they fancied the resurrection of which St. Paul spake, was some _female deity_ called by that name, instead of understanding it to be an action done by Jesus, whom St. Paul preached. The God of whom St. Paul spake, was indeed a strange God unto the Athenian philosophers! but instead of ill using the preacher, they, like sensible men, determined to hear more on the subject. Chapter XVI.--ST. PAUL BEFORE THE AREOPAGUS. We have said that the Philosophers of Athens were desirous to hear more of St. Paul's doctrines. "And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean." The Areopagus was a Court of Justice, the chief court in Athens; and one of its duties was, to pay particular attention to all matters relating to religion, or the worship of the gods. The members of this Court met in a building erected upon a certain hill dedicated to Mars, the God of War; and thence called Mars' Hill. St. Paul was now brought before this Court, that he might give an account of the new doctrines which he had begun to teach in Athens. The Athenians were so fond of learning, that whenever they heard anything which they did not understand, they were anxious to inquire into it, and see what it did mean. To a certain degree this was right, for we should all try to get as much knowledge as we can, as to good and useful things. But the Athenians were too curious; for St. Luke tells us, that "all the Athenians and strangers which were" in the city, "spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing": and from other writers we learn, that the Athenians went from place to place in order to meet others, and hear if there was anything new. Now this love of change and novelty, or "new things," is a great fault, and one which often leads us into sin.