The mutual influence of Christianity and the Stoic schoolBryant, James Henry
Religion
The mutual influence of Christianity and the Stoic school
Bryant, James Henry
Christianity and other religions -- Greek; Civilization, Modern -- Classical influences; Stoics
followed a false light, that has deceived him and led him into bye-ways;
while the deceived one thought he was doing GOD service, and practising
self-denial. We want no special circumstances made for us, no
extraordinary opportunities granted: for each man has by infinite wisdom
been placed in his position, whatever it may be; and has, every day and
all day long, opportunity for honouring GOD, and helping on His designs
in the world. This St Paul felt when, writing to the Corinthians, he
says (2 Ep. v. 14), “The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus
judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died
for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves,
but unto Him who died for them, and rose again.” The great lesson to
learn is real self-sacrifice. We shall not fail in learning this lesson
if, depending on divine aid, we study to conform ourselves to His
example, whose life was summed up in a few words by the Apostle Peter,
when he described Him as “Jesus of Nazareth, who went about doing good.”
THE END.
CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.
Footnote 61:
Rom. ii. 11.
Footnote 62:
St John, xvii. 15.
Footnote 63:
M. Aurelius uses the very word from which the anchorite took his name,
Ἀναχωρήσεις αὐτοῖς ζητοῦσιν, κ.τ.λ.—B. IV. c. 3.
Footnote 64:
Juvenal, in reference to this says, _Sat._ II. 8:
“Frontis nulla fides, quis enim non vicus abundat
Tristibus obscœnis?”
So _Sat._ III. 105, he has the following:
“Audi facinus majoris abollæ.
Stoïcus occidit Baream, delator amicum,
Discipulumque senex.”
Respecting this man (P. Egnatius), Tacitus says (_Ann._ XVI. 32):
“Cliens hic Sorani, et tunc emptus ad opprimendum amicum, auctoritatem
Stoicæ sectæ præferebat, habitu et ore ad exprimendam imaginem honesti
exercitus, ceterum animo perfidiosus, subdolus, avaritiam ac libidinem
occultans.” He goes on to say we should be on our guard against those
“specie bonarum artium falsos.”
Footnote 65:
Chrysostomi, _Opera_, Tom. I. p. 309. Ed. Ben. 8vo. Paris, 1834.
Footnote 66:
Ὠδῆς ἐπιτερποῦς, καὶ ὀρχήσεως καὶ παγκρατίου καταφρονήσεις, κ.τ.λ. M.
Aurelii Ant. _Com._ XI. 2.
Footnote 67:
Haud tibi inexpertum curvos deprendere mores
Quæque docet sapiens braccatis illita Medis
Porticus, insomnis quibus et _detonsa_ juventus
Invigilat, &c.
_Sat._ III. 52-4.
Footnote 68:
Proleg. ad J. Stearn, _de Obstin._ Sect. 41, p. 147.
Footnote 69:
“Ex mente Pharisæorum.”
Footnote 70:
Calv. _Inst._ III. 25. 1.
Footnote 71:
2 Peter iii. 9.
Footnote 72:
Quem mala stultitia, et quæcunque inscitia veri
Cæcum agit, insanum Chrysippi porticus et grex
Autumat. Hæc populos, hæc magnos formula reges,
Excepto sapiente, tenet.
Hor. _Sat._ II. 3.
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