* Vid. Salmas. In fine libri He Annis climactericis.
** See Book II. of Taylor's translation of Porphyry,—On
Abstinence from Animal Food.
and much more to assert, any thing impious concerning God. But if any one should order us to celebrate the Sun or Minerva, we ought most gladly to sing hymns to their praise. For thus you will appear to venerate the supreme God in a greater degree *, if you also celebrate these powers: for piety when it passes through all things becomes more perfect."
EXTRACTS FROM, AND INFORMATION RELATIVE TO, THE TREATISE OF PORPHYRY
AGAINST THE CHRISTIANS [ [!-- IMG --]
This work of Porphyry consisted of Fifteen Books, and is unfortunately lost. It is frequently mentioned by the Fathers of the Church, from whose writings the following particulars are collected.
The First Book appears to have contained a development of the contrariety of the Scriptures, and proofs that they did not proceed from Divinity, but from men. To this end Porphyry especially adduces what Paul writes to the Galatians, chap. ii.
* For as the ineffable principle of things possesses all
power and the highest power, he first produced from himself
beings most transcendently allied to himself; and therefore,
by venerating these, the highest God will be in a greater
degree venerated, as being a greater veneration of his
power.