* 1.1 To Aeschines. Epist. 1.
MEeting with Hermogenes, amongst other things I asked him what Philosophy you followed, he answered, the same as Socrates. For this inclination I admired you, when you lived at Athens, and now continue the same admiration for your constancy above other students of wisdom; The great∣est argument to me of your virtue is, your being taken with that man, if we may call the life of Socrates mortall. That there are divine beings over us all know: wee worship them as ex∣ceeding us in power; what they are is neither easie to find, nor lawfull to enquire. It concerns not servants to examine the Nature and actions of their Masters, their duty is onely to obey them; and which is most considerable, the more admira∣tion they deserve who busie themselves in those things which belong to man; the more trouble this brings them, who affect glory in vain unseasonable objects: For when (Aeschines) did any man hear Socrates discourse of the Heavens, or advise his Schollers to Mathematicall Demonstrations? we know he un∣derstood Musick no further then the Ear: But was alwaies dis∣coursing to his friends of some thing excellent; what is forti∣tude and justice and other virtues. These he called the proper good of mankind; other things he said men could not arrive at; or they were of kin to fables, such ridiculous things as are taught by the supercilious professours of wisdom. Nor did hee onely teach this; his practice was answerable; of which I have written at large elsewhere, what I hope will not be unpleasing to you, (though you know it already) to peruse. Let* 1.2 those who are not satisfied with what Socrates delivered, give over upon this conviction, or confine themselves to what is proba∣ble. Living, hee was attested wise by the Deity; Dead, his Murtherers could find no expiation by repentance: But these extraordinary persons affect Aegypt and the prodigious learn∣ing of Pythago••as, which unnecessary study argueth them of inconstancy towards Socrates, as doth also their love of Ty∣rants, and preferring the luxury of a Sicilian table before a fru∣gal life.