Against the Valentinians — Chapter 1

1

Occultant. [This tract may be assigned to any date not earlier than a.d. 207. Of this Valentinus, see cap. iv. infra, and de Præscript. capp. 29, 30, supra.]

2

We are far from certain whether we have caught the sense of the original, which we add, that the reader may judge for himself, and at the same time observe the terseness of our author: “Custodiæ officium conscientiæ officium est, confusio prædicatur, dum religio asseveratur.”

3

Et aditum prius cruciant.

4

Antequam consignant.

5

Epoptas: see Suidas, s.v. ᾽Επόπται.

6

Ædificent.

7

Adytis.

8

Epoptarum.

9

Dispositio.

10

Patrocinio coactæ figuræ.

11

Excusat.

12

“Quid enim aliud est simulachrum nisi falsum?” (Rigalt.)

13

Quos nunc destinamus.

14

Lenocinia.

15

Taciturnitate.

16

Facili caritati. Oehler, after Fr. Junius, gives, however, this phrase a subjective turn thus: “by affecting a charity which is easy to them, costing nothing.”

17

Concreto.

18

Sua cæde.

Chapter 1

IV.

Against the Valentinians.

In Which the Author Gives a Concise Account of, Together with Sundry Caustic Animadversions on, the Very Fantastic Theology of the Sect. This Treatise is Professedly Taken from the Writings of Justin, Miltiades, Irenæus, and Proculus.

[Translated by Dr. Roberts.]

Chapter I.—Introductory. Tertullian Compares the Heresy to the Old Eleusinian Mysteries. Both Systems Alike in Preferring Concealment of Error and Sin to Proclamation of Truth and Virtue.

Notes