Part 1X.‘

and moderately, not exceding the order in the earth. Another way that we ought to perform their fervice and knowledg, being free without Fetters. Tfffs the Symbol commands to be ob- ferv’d, not in the body only , but in the ads of the foul, chat they be not reftrained by paffions, nor by the infirmity of the body, nor by our external generation, but all free and ready fbr communication with the Gods.
SYMB. IV.
THare is another Symbol of this kind, exhor¬ ting to the fame virtue ; Concerning the gah, disbelieve nothing wonderful^ and concerning divine DoBnnes. This rule is religious, and declareth the fuperlative excellence of the Gods ; inltrud- ing us, and putting us in mind, that we ought not to eftimate the Divine power by our own Judg ment. To us who are corporeal, and generated and corruptible, and tranfitory, and obnoxious to feveral difeafes, and to narrownefs of habitati¬ on, and to aggravation of motion towards the Center, and to fleepinefs, and to indigence, anci to abundance, and to imprudence, and to infir¬ mity, and to impediment of foul, and the like, fome things willfeem difficult, and impoffible; yet have we many excellencies by Nature: but we are quite (hort of the Gods, neither have we the fame power, or ability. This Symbol, there-,
■ , fore, chiefly adviferh to knowledge of the Gods, as of thofe who are able to do all things ; whence it admonilheth to disbelieve nothing concerning th/ Gods. There is added, nor concerning divine Do- Brines, meaning thofe which are declared by the Fythagorick Philofophy ; becaufe they being • fetled by Matheraaticks, and Scientifickfpecula- tion, will fiiow by demonftration, ftrengthned by neceflity, that there are true Beings exiftent void of fallacioufneft.
Thefe may alfo exhort to the Science concer¬ ning the Gods, and perfwade that fuch a Science "" Perhaps isto be acquired, as by which we (hall not * dif- d.?rtg^(n- believe anything concerning theGods; The fame f-iiv. may advife to divine Do(5trines, and to proceed by Mathematicks; for they only clear the eyes, and are illuminative of all Beings, to him that will behold them; for by participation of Ma¬ thematicks, One thing is conftituted before all ; that we disbelieve not any thing, either concer¬ ning the nature of the Gods, or their Effence, or their Power : nor of thofe PythagoricalDodrines, which feem monftrous to perfons, not initiated into Mathematicks : Thus disbelieve not, is equi¬ valent to, act^uire and pojje^ thofe things, by means whereof you ffiall not disbelieve ; that is Ma¬ thematicks, and Scientifick Demonftrations.
SYMB. V.
Th E next Symbol tends f as T conceive ) to the fame Declining high-ways, walk in
path-ways. For it commandeth to leave the pub- lick popular courfe of life, and to purfue that which is feparate, and Divine : like wife that we defpife the common opinions, and muchefteem the private, which are not to be divulged ; and to contemn the pleafure which tends towards men; but to value exceedingly that felicity, which is joyned with the divine will ; And to
leave humane cuftoms as vulgar; but to apply our felves to the worlhip of the Gods,' which far excels the ordinary courfe of life. Allied to this, is that which followeth.
SYMB. VI.
ABfiain from the Melanure, for it belongs to the TerrefirialGods. We (hall fay more upon it, in our explication of the adhortative Symbols; It advifeth to make choice of theHeavenly Journey, ' and to adhere to the Intelledlual Gods, and to withdraw our felves from Material nature, and CO dired our courfe to that life which is pure, void of matter, and to make ufe of the beft way of Divine worfliip,and that which is moft fuitable to the chief deities. Thefe Symbols are adhorta- live to the knowledge and worfhip of the Gods.
SYMB. VII.
The following Symbols exhort to Wifdom ;
Above all thipgs govern your 'tongue, following be Gods I for the firft work of Wildom is to 1 evert our fpeech into it felf, and to accuftom it not to pafs forth, that it may be perfed with¬ in our felves, and in its converfion towards our felves ; Moreover in following the Gods : For no¬ thing renders the mind fo perfed, as when a man, being reverted into himfelf, followeth the Gods.
SYMB. VIII.
THis Symbol likewife. When the winds blow, worfhip the noife, is an exhortation toDivine Wifdom ; For it implieth that we ought to love the fimilitude of Divine Natures and Powers : and when they make a reafon fuitable to their efficacies, it ought exceedingly to be honoured and reverenced.
SYMB. IX.
Th E next Symbol, Cut not fire with a Sword, exhorts to wifdom ; for it excites in us a convenient knowledg, that we ought not to give . ftiarp language to a man full of fire and anger, nor to conteft with him ; for you may often by words exafperate and trouble a rude and unlearn¬ ed perfon. .Of this Her adit tss wltnefleth ; To contefi with anger ( faith he ) bard, for what fa- ever it would have done, it will pur chafe tho at the expence of life. And he faid truly ; for many, gratifying their own anger, have exchanged their Souls, and preferred death before them ; but from continence of the Tongue, and peace- fulnefs, this happens, that out of contention ari- feth friendlhip, the wrathful fire being excin- guilhed, and thou thy felf wilt appear, not to be void of reafon. This Symbol is confirmed by that which followeth.
SYMB. X.
TUrn away from thy felf every edge\ for to¬ wards whomfoever it (hall be turned, it will hurt him. This Symbol commandeth to ufe prudence not anger ; for that edg of the mind which we call anger, is void of reafon and pru¬ dence ;
FTTH AGORA S.
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