Page:All the works of Epictetus - which are now extant; consisting of his Discourses, preserved by Arrian, in four books, the Enchiridion, and fragments (IA allworksofepicte00epic).pdf/37

Rh Contempt of, and Aversion to, Christian Authors, as akin to the Jews, and Opposers of the established Worship, notwithstanding those Parts of them, which he must approve. But still I hope, his Conformity with the sacred Writings may be accounted for, without supposing him acquainted with Christianity, as such. The great Number of its Professors, dispersed through the Roman Empire, had probably introduced several of the New Testament Phrases into the popular Language: and the Christian Religion might by that Time have diffused some Degree of general Illumination; of which many might receive the Benefit, who were ignorant of the Source, from whence it proceeded: and Epictetus I apprehend to have been of this Number. Several striking Instances of this Resemblance between him and the New Testament, have been observed in the Notes; and the attentive Reader will find many, which are not mentioned; and may perceive from them, either that the Stoics admired the Christian Language, however they came to the Knowledge of it; or that treating a Subject practically, and with a Feeling of its Force, leads Men to such strong Expressions, as we find in Scripture, and should find oftener in the Philosophers, if they had been more in earnest: but however, they occur frequently enough to vindicate those, in which the Scriptures abound, from the Contempt and Ridicule of light Minds.

§. 41. Arrian, the Disciple of Epictetus, to whom we are obliged for these Discourses, was a Greek by Birth, but a Senator and Consul of Rome; and an able Commander in War. He imitated Xenophon, both in his Life and Writings; and particularly, in delivering to Posterity the Conversations of his Master. There were originally Twenty Books of them, besides the Enchiridion, which seems to be taken out of them, and