262 
Pythagoras calls numbers , with their proportions and harmonies, 
the first principles; Epicurus, bodies perceptible by reason, 
admitting no vacuity, unbegotten, indestructible, which can 
neither be broken, nor admit of any formation of their parts, nor 
alteration, and are therefore perceptible by reason. All this, 
divested of scientific entanglements, appears to mean the atomic 
philosophy, which is coming into vogue again with the learned 
of the present day. Empedocles maintained that there were 
four elements — fire, air, water, and earth, and two elementary 
powers — love and hate, of which the former is a power of union, 
the latter of separation. Justin makes the following sensible 
remark : — “ See the confusion of those who are considered to 
have been wise men, and the teachers of religion ; all of them 
employing persuasive arguments for the establishment of their 
own errors, and attempting to prove their own peculiar dogma 
the most valuable. Plow can the Greeks fancy they can learn 
V V 
true religion from these philosophers, w r ho are neither able so 
to convince themselves as to prevent sectarian wrangling with 
one another, and not to appear definitely opposed to one 
another’s opinions.” 
25. On the differences between Plato and Aristotle, Justin 
observes that the former says, “ with the air of one that hath 
descended from above, and has accurately ascertained all 
that is in Heaven, that the Most High God exists in a fiery 
substance,” which opinion the latter clearly and manifestly 
overthrows, declaring that “God does not exist in a fiery 
substance; but inventing, as a fifth substance, some kind 
of ethereal and unchangeable body, says that God exists in 
that.” 
26. Again, while Plato says there are three first principles oi 
all things — God, Matter, and Form, Aristotle omits all mention of 
the last, and says there are only two. So, while Plato says that 
the Highest God and the ideas exist in the first place of the 
highest heavens, Aristotle declares that, next to the Supreme 
Deity, there are no ideas, but only certain gods, who can be 
perceived by the mind. Likewise, respecting the soul, while 
Plato says it consists of three parts, including the faculties of 
reason, affection, and appetite, Aristotle declares the soul is not 
so comprehensive, but only includes reason. Plato loudly main- 
tains that the soul is immortal and always in motion; Aristotle, 
on the other hand, considers it mortal and immovable, since it 
must itself precede all motion.* 
27. Hermias, a Christian philosopher of the second century, 
* Justin’s Address to tin ('reeks, c. v. — vi. 
