There is much, in connexion with the purpose of our essay, that requires careful consideration in this discourse. If we want to understand the influence which Christianity and Stoicism exercised, one on the other, and on the souls of men, we must notice them side by side at this their first public encounter. When we have observed how far the Christian teacher agreed with the Stoic philosopher, and in what he differed and excelled, we shall have a fair starting-place for investigating the mutual consequences which resulted. In order properly to grasp our subject, it will be necessary to place before our minds what Stoicism was as it came from its founder, and how far it was modified at this time. I purpose therefore in another chapter to give a sketch of the life and teaching of Zeno of Cittium, and of the modifications of his system by Cleanthes and Chrysippus. The way will then be clear to compare the Apostle’s teaching with theirs, and to appreciate the peculiar excellence of the good news preached by St Paul on Mars’ Hill. Footnote 2: Ἢ Φαρισαίων αἵρεσις παραπλήσιος ἐστὶ τῇ παρ’ Ἕλλησι Στωϊκῇ λεγομέvyῃ.—Jos. _in vita suâ_. Footnote 3: Acts xxiii. 8. Footnote 4: Τἠν μἐv εἱμαρμένην ἀναιροῦσιν, οὐδὲν εἶναι ταύτην ἀξιοῦντες, οὔτε κατ’ αὐτὴν τὰ ἀνθρώπινα τέλος λαμβάνειν, ἄπαντα δὲ ἐφ’ ἡμῖν αὐτοῖς τιθέντες.—Jos. _Ant. Jud._ XIII. 5. Footnote 5: Whewell’s _Elements of Morality_, Preface to the 4th Edition. Footnote 6: Chap. i. 9. Footnote 7: Rom. ii. 15. Footnote 8: _Apol._ 1. 46. Footnote 9: See our Lord’s words, Matt. vii. 9, 10. Footnote 10: There can be no doubt that δεισιδαιμονεστέρους = valde religiosos. Footnote 11: Acts xvii. 22-31. CHAPTER I. THE STOIC SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY. Ἀνακάμπτων δὲ ἐν τῇ ποικίλῃ στοᾷ τῇ καὶ Πεισιανακτείᾳ καλουμένῃ, ἀπὸ δὲ τῆς γραφῆς τῆς Πολυγνώτου, ποικίλῃ, διέθετο τοὺς λόγους... Προσῄεσαν δὴ λοιπὸν ἀκούοντες αὐτοῦ καὶ διὰ τοῦτο Στωϊκοὶ ἐκλήθησαν, καὶ οἱ ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ ὁμοίως, πρότερον Ζηνώνειοι καλούμενοι. Diog. Laert. _vit. Phil._ Lib. VII. 6, 7.