ne faudra le composer que de la première partie. La probité, la consolation de l'espérance, et la science de St. Paul, de savoir se contenter de l'état où l'on se trouve'; c'est tout ce sur quoi on puisse faire fond en ce monde; c'est tout ce qui ne sau- roit nous être ôté sans notre consentement."
Thus does this Christian philosopher establish all human happiness upon contentment, and a good conscience. This, too, is the doctrine of St. Paul; and who that reads the follow- ing pages can fail to observe that such is the doctrine chiefly insisted upon by Epictetus, the heathen philosopher, the fol- lower of Zeno, a disciple of the Stoic school. It is, therefore, a matter of no small consideration that the reading and study of this beautiful author should be both facilitated and encour- aged; for, although every book, and every system of morals must ever fall infinitely short of the Book of Life, and of the system of Ethics therein contained, yet, (as we find it in the book of Ecclesiasticus,) "the wise man will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients;" and, "he will keep the sayings of renowned men."
In conclusion, let me hope that my humble labours, on the present occasion, may be attended with the attainment of the chief object contemplated by them, viz., a more general ac- quaintance with the precepts of the Enchiridion of Epictetus. than has hitherto prevailed; and for any defects which may appear in this performance, I ask the indulgence of the pub- lic in the language of the Latin Translator of this work, in his Dedication to the Bishop of Bristol :"Dabis autem. veniam, Reverende Pater, non mihi tantum, si quid in hoc opere peccaverim, sed et Epicteto, si quid Ipse forte erraverit."
