er to an unapproving mind, to work those things which
are not suitable." After drawing a fearful picture of the darkness and
depravity of the heathen, the Apostle adds, "Who, _though they_ KNOW
_the law of God_, that they who practise such things are worthy of
death, not only do them, but even are well pleased with those who
practise them."[379] The obvious and direct teaching of this passage is
that the heathen, in the midst of their depravity and idolatry, are not
utterly ignorant of God; "they _know_ God"--"they _know_ the law of God
"--"they worship Him," though they worship the creature _more than_ Him.
They know God, and are unwilling to "acknowledge God." "They know the
righteousness of God," and are "haters of God" on account of his purity;
and their worshipping of idols does not proceed from ignorance of God,
from an intellectual inability to know God, but from "corruption of
heart," and a voluntary choice of, and a "pleasure" in, the sinful
practices accompanying idol worship. Therefore, argues the Apostle, they
are "without excuse." The whole drift and aim of the argument of Paul
is, not to show that the heathen were, by their depravity, incapacitated
to know God, but that because they knew God and knew his righteous law,
therefore their depravity and licentiousness was "inexcusable."

[Footnote 379: Romans, ch. i. ver. 23-32.]

We conclude our review of opposing schools by the re-affirmation of our
position, _that God is cognizable by human reason._ The human mind,
under the guidance of necessary laws of thought, is able, from the facts
of the universe, to affirm the existence of God, and to attain some
valid knowledge of his character and will. Every attempt to solve the
great problem of existence, to offer an explanation of the phenomenal
world, or to explore the fundamental idea of reason, when fairly and
fully conducted, has resulted in the recognition of a Supreme
_Intelligence_, a personal _Mind_ and _Will_, as the ground, and reason,
and cause of all existence. A survey of the history of Greek Philosophy
will abundantly sustain this position, and to this we shall, in
subsequent chapters, invite the reader's attention.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE PHILOSOPHERS OF ATHENS.

PRE-SOCRATIC SCHOOL.

SENSATIONAL:
THALES--ANAXIMENES--HERACLITUS--ANAXIMANDER--LEUCIPPUS--DEMOCRITUS.

"Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the
Stoics encountered Paul."--Acts xvii. 18.

"Pla