Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/52

 that this Roman failed a little in the Points of Gravity and Fortitude, so peculiar to the Stoicks: And that Epictetus, and Marcus Antoninus out-did him, both in their Pens and their Practise. These two Persons, tho' in contrary Stations, and in the Remotest Distance of Circumstances imaginable ? The one being a poor Slave, and the other the greatest Monarch in the Universe. These two Persons, I say, have shew'd the Force of the Stoical Philosophy; and how strongly it Operates under all Diversities of Condition; And that not only by a Comprehensive Body of Refined Morality in their Writings, but also by an Illustrious Example every way agreeable to the Nobleness of the Precepts delivered.

Thus far I have Translated the Learned Gataker, who proceeds in his Prolegomena, to draw a Parallel between the Doctrines of our Blessed Saviour, and those of Marcus Antoninus in many considerable Instances, insomuch that one wou'd imagine the Emperour had Transcribed part of his Philosophy from the four Evangelists : But this I shall rather leave to the Reader'''s Collection, than present him with that before-hand, which 'tis likely he may with more Satisfaction discover for himself. The rest of Gataker's Introductive Discourse is foreign to our Purpose, and therefore I shall go on with it no farther.'' Rh