In the four Books which before this I have set forth unto thee,1 dearly beloved, I have exposed2 all the Heretics, and have declared their doctrines. I have also overthrown the inventors of impious opinions, partly by each one’s own teaching, left in their writings, partly by reason proceeding upon general premisses. I have exhibited the truth, and have declared the preaching of the Church, proclaimed first by the Prophets (as we have shewn), then completed by Christ, and handed on by the Apostles, from whom the Church receiving it, and alone guarding it well throughout the whole world, hath delivered it on to her children. I have solved all the questions which the Heretics press us with. I have explained the Apostles’ doctrine, and have cleared up many things, which the Lord by way of Parable both said and did.3 Now in this 5th Book of our whole work (which treats of detection and overthrow of Knowledge falsely so called) we will endeavour to form arguments from the remainder of our Lord’s teaching, and from the Apostolical Epistles. For so thou didst desire; and we obey thy direction, (placed as we are in the office of dispensing the Word,) and labour every way according to our ability, to furnish unto thee very much help against the gainsayings of the Heretics, and to draw back them that err, and convert them to the Church of God; to confirm also the mind of the Novices, that they may keep unshaken the faith, which they have received throughly guarded from the Church; that in no wise may they be perverted by such as endeavour to teach them amiss, and to lead them away from the truth.
It will be necessary both for thee, and for all who are to read this book, very carefully to read what we have said before; that thou mayest know the exact arguments, for which we are framing refutations. For so wilt thou regularly refute them, and find answers to them ready for thee to take up; their opinions thou wilt cast away, as dung, by the faith which comes from Heaven, and Him alone thou wilt follow, Who is the True and Strong Teacher, The Word of God, Jesus Christ our Lord:4 Who for His immense love’s sake was made that which we are, in order that He might perfect us to be what He is.