Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/336

 156 the most Antient Deity. For the Nature of the Universe is the Cause of it, and that which gives it Being. Thus all things are one Family, suited, and as it were of Kin to each other. This Nature is also stiled Truth, as being the Basis of First Principles, and Certainty. He therefore that tells a Lye knowingly, is an Irreligious Wretch ; For by deceiving his Neighbour, be is unjust to him; and Cheats him of the Truth to which he has a Natural Right. And he that's guilty of an Untruth out of Ignorance, is lyable to the same Charge, ( tho' not in the same Degree, ) because his Ignorance is Voluntary, and Affected ; because he dissents from the Mind of Providence, brings Disorder into the World, and opposes the first Settlement of Nature. He seems to be fond of Confusions, to declare for the Interest of Error, and take the Field against Certainty and Science. By neglecting the assistances of Heaven, and the Talent he was born too ; He has parted with the Guide of his Understanding, lost the Test of Truth, and the distinction of Right, and Wrong. Farther: He that reckons Prosperity and Pleasure among Things really Good; Pain and Hardship amongst Things really Evil, can be no Pious Person : For such a Man will be Rh