278 on Epicurus. Oct. 23, 
prime mover of the human frame and of the human 
mind, ‘and that in the pofsefsion or enjoyment. of 
real and permanent pleasure the chief happiuefs 
of man did consist, and I endeavoured to prove. 
that this pleasure was in the absenee of bodily 
pain, and in the presence of mental tranquillity 
by virtue. That sacrifices, and ceremonies in 
the temples, abnegations and macerations of body, 
or dejectiens of spirit in cloystered retirement, 
were of no avail for the favour of the God of the 
universe, nor any thing fhort of sincere confi- 
dence in his wisdom and goodnefs and benevolence 
towards our fellow crea‘ares, 
For these doctrines, and the abuse which was made . 
of them by some o my followers, I was railed at 
by the stoicks whom I railed not again, because I 
knew that in there austere pretences to superior vir- 
tue, and in the pride of their performances, they 
disdained my principles, which were founded on the 
weaknefs of human nature, and its improvement by 
rational and attainable purposes. " 
The doctrines of my garden, led to no lefs_ puri- 
“ty of manners than those of the Portico, but they 
led to them as an effect of my principles, and not as 
a foundation for spiritual pride, and philosophical 
ostentation. My disciples were temperate and cor- 
rect in their manners, but they were gay and chear- 
fal. Virtue and happinefs were with them insepa- 
rable; and I taught them to believe that they could not 
subsist asunder. 1 could never believe or teach that 
the world was disturbed by Demons, but rather that 
it was uniformly governed with perfect wisdom, 
| 
; 
i 
A 
