So what is mortification not? The first of these is philosophic. Some of the old philosophers condemned riches and many other material benefits and pleasures. Alas most were hypocrites, dissemblers. Seneca for instance, would write that nature ought to be satisfied with food and drink, that a house of grass was sufficient for anyone, yet he was a very covetous man. Another, Cicero, was an aspiring man, even though he maligned pride very much. Others of course, not by the Spirit of God and the cross of Christ, on the basis of gospel principles, but upon mere moral considerations, like the pagans of old (recently revived). These taught men to moderated their inordinate desires and passions by precepts and habits of moral virtue. Then there has been the Stoics and the papists, who both doing much violence to themselves, yet without special grace do not shift one single sin.