Million Book Collection - The Fishers of Men Ministries

NEOSTOICISM AND THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 65God. Can any one rise above the strokes of fortuneexcept by His assistance ? He gives great and loftycounsels. In every one of good men a god theredwells, though it be uncertain what god. . . . Praisein the man that which can neither be taken away norgiven : that which belongs to the man himself. Askyou what it is ? The mind, and perfect reason in themind. For man -is a rational animal. And so hisod is consummate if it fulfil that for which it isborn. But what does this reason require of him ? Amost easy thing, to live according to his own nature.. . What then is reason ? The imitation of nature.What is man's supreme good ? To bear himself acdingto nat "Again : " He had a perfect mind, as being raised this own highest, above which there is nothing but themind of God, from whom a part has flowed down intothis mortal breast. And this is never more divinethan when it thinks of its own mortality, and knowsthat man was born for this, to pass through life : thatthis body is not a home but a hospice, and a shortone too, which has to be left when you find yourselftroublesome to the hospitaller. My dear Lucilius, itis the greatest proof of a mind coming from a higherdwelling, if it deems its present occupations low andnarrow, if it fears not to go forth. For he who rememberswhence he is come knows whither he is going."And " the gods are not fastidious nor envious ; theyreceive those who come up and lend them a hand.Do you wonder that a man should go to the gods ?God comes to men ; nay, rather, which is nearer, comesinto men. There is no good mind without God. Divineseeds are scattered in human bodies : if a good gar-dener cultivates them, they come up like their origin,VOL. III. E