§ 1.
For when they are convicted out of the Scriptures, they betake themselves even to accusation of the Scriptures, as being incorrect, not coming of authority,1 diversely expressed, and such as that the truth cannot be found out of them by persons ignorant of Tradition. For, say they, it was not delivered in writing, but in speech: for which cause Paul also said, But we speak wisdom among the perfect;2 not however the wisdom of this world. And thin wisdom each one of them affirms to coincide with his own fiction forsooth, invented of himself: so that the Truth by their account may well enough be now in Valentinus, now again in Marcion, now in Cerinthus: afterwards again it was in Basilides, or again in such another who is arguing against us,—who could not speak one wholesome word. For there is not one of them, but is so entirely perverted, as without shame to preach himself, utterly spoiling the Rule of Truth.
§ 2.
But when on the other hand we challenge them to that Tradition, which is of the Apostles,3 which is guarded by the successions of Presbyters in the Churches, they oppose Tradition, saying that themselves, being wiser not only than Presbyters, but even than Apostles, have discovered the genuine Truth. For “the Apostles,” they say, “intermingled with the words of the Saviour the things of the Law: and not only the Apostles, but the Lord also Himself framed His discourses, now as from the Creator, now as from the middle state, now again from the highest: while themselves know the hidden mystery without doubt, stain, or admixture:” which surely is most shameless blasphemy towards their Maker. It results therefore, that they agree neither with Scriptures nor with Tradition.
§ 3.
With such, dearest friend, is our contention;—slippery as serpents, and endeavouring to escape every way.4 Every way therefore we must withstand them: if haply we may confound any of them by repeated blows5, and bring them to change on the Truth’s side. For though it be not easy for a soul to repent, when error hath laid hold of it, yet is it not altogether impossible to escape error, when Truth is set by its side.