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they strive to establish Philosophy, and those things which they find fault with in human Philosophy, prove only that Christian Philosophy is the true one.

VII The Philosophers, by disapproving of the pleasures of the world and admiring all forms of self-restraint, have praised and approved the Christian religion as the true mistress of continence. A wonderful saying of Plutarch Greek biographer and essayist, c. 46–120 AD regarding virtue and integrity: that the help of God is necessary.

VIII The Philosophers, by praising that Philosophy by which one lives purely and is separated from bodily allurements, clearly had the Christian religion in view. Those who assert that bodily pleasures are an impediment to the heavenly journey have asserted one and the same religion with us.

IX The Philosophers, by asserting that the end of Philosophy is the knowledge of God and the admiration of His majesty, have confirmed with all their votes the Christian religion, whose end is the notion of God; Archytas, Plutarch, Iamblichus, and Simplicius A group of Pythagorean and Neoplatonist thinkers spanning several centuries say these things.

X The Philosophers, by affirming that the present life is to be despised, that minds must be turned to God alone, and that the body must be held in hatred, have approved today's religion; the testimonies of Hermes Trismegistus A legendary Hellenistic figure associated with wisdom and alchemy, Plato, Aristotle, and Syrianus on this matter.

XI The Philosophers, by affirming that the end of all Philosophy is contemplation and true happiness—the sole intuition of God—could only have perceived the kingdom of heaven. On earth, there is no contemplation that renders one blessed. From these points, it is clear they feel as one with the Christian religion.

XII True wisdom, and the best of all things that can be, is piety, according to the testimony of the Philosophers: this, moreover, is the likeness to God, and that is true happiness. Since they say this is achieved by Philosophy, they could have had no other Philosophy in view than that of today.

XIII With wonderful praise, the Philosophers extolled sincere charity: by this, they approved the Christian religion, the foundation of which is charity. Concerning the precept of the Pythagoreans.

XIIII In the worship of God and piety, the Philosophers, by establishing extraordinary pleasures, affirm those things which always harmonize with the Holy Scriptures. By desiring the same perfect and marvelous piety, they desired the religion of today.

XV The Philosophers, by teaching that riches are to be despised, asserting they are evil and pernicious to the wicked, admiring poverty, contending that care for the flesh should be cast away, and that study should be transferred to piety and the worship of God, have uniquely approved the present religion; this is the only one they wanted.

XVI The Philosophers assert that religion must be practiced purely, that the worship most acceptable to God must be sought, and all human things despised. By these points, it is proven that they accepted those things held in the Christian religion with the most eager minds.

XVII The Philosophers, while attributing freedom to the will but preaching that divine help is necessary for right works, marvelously agree with the religion of today. Evils come from ourselves, according to these authors.

XVIII Hierocles and Syrianus, distinguished Philosophers, judge that true wisdom and the prince of virtues is piety, and the assimilation with God, and the imitation of His goodness and justice. And that this is the end of Philosophy. This is the blessedness which Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman orator and philosopher says is given by Philosophy.

XIX The Ancients heard from their ancestors concerning eternal rewards. The report always among mortals