Chapter V.—Difference Between the True Religion and Philosophy.

And our father began to say: "Do not suppose, my dearest Peter, that I am not thinking of the doctrines preached by you. I was thinking of them. But during the past night, when Clement urged me earnestly to give in my adhesion to the truth preached by you, I at last answered, Why should I? for what new commandment can any one give more than what the ancients urged us to obey?' And he, with a gentle smile, said, There is a great difference, father, between the doctrines of the true religion and those of philosophy; ^[1229] for the true religion receives its proof from prophecy, while philosophy, furnishing us with beautiful sentences, seems to present its proofs from conjecture.' On saying this, he took an instance, and set before us the doctrine of philanthropy, ^[1230] which you had explained to him, ^[1231] which rather appeared to me to be very unjust, and I shall tell you how. He alleged that it was right to present to him who strikes you on the one cheek the other ^[1232] also, and to give to him who takes away your cloak your tunic also, and to go two miles with him who compels you to go one, and such like." ^[1233]