If you wish to see the highest instances of this method,
read Plato himself, not Proclus. If you wish to see how the same method
can be applied to Christian truth, read the dialectic passages in
Augustine's "Confessions." Whether or not you shall agree with their
conclusions, you will not be likely, if you have a truly scientific
habit of mind, to complain that they want either profundity, severity,
or simplicity.
So concludes the history of one of the Alexandrian schools of
Metaphysic. What was the fate of the other is a subject which I must
postpone to my next Lecture.
LECTURE IV--THE CROSS AND THE CRESCENT
I tried to point out, in my last Lecture, the causes which led to the
decay of the Pagan metaphysic of Alexandria. We have now to consider
the fate of the Christian school.
You may have remarked that I have said little or nothing about the
positive dogmas of Clement, Origen, and their disciples; but have only
brought out the especial points of departure between them and the
Heathens. My reason for so doing was twofold: first, I could not have
examined them without entering on controversial ground; next, I am very
desirous to excite some of my hearers, at least, to examine these
questions for themselves.
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