wickedness of this description to any man, he would neither be reckoned among men, nor be deemed worthy to behold the light, since not even irrational animals[1] would attempt such an enormity, as we shall explain when we come to treat of such topics.
Since, however, reason compels us to plunge[2] into the very depth of narrative, we conceive we should not be silent, but, expounding the tenets of the several schools with minuteness, we shall evince reserve in nothing. Now it seems expedient, even at the expense of a more protracted investigation, not to shrink from labour; for we shall leave behind us no trifling auxiliary to human life against the recurrence of error, when all are made to behold, in an obvious light, the clandestine rites of these men, and the secret orgies which, retaining under their management, they deliver to the initiated only. But none will refute these, save the Holy Spirit bequeathed unto the Church, which the Apostles having in the first instance received, have transmitted to those who have rightly believed. But we, as being their successors, and as participators in this grace, high-priesthood, and office of teaching,[3] as well as being reputed guardians of the Church, must not be found deficient in vigilance,[4] or disposed to suppress correct doctrine.[5] Not even, however, labouring with every energy of body and soul, do we tire in our attempt adequately to render our Divine Benefactor a fitting return; and yet withal we do not so requite Him in a becoming manner, except we are not remiss in discharging the trust committed
- ↑ "And those that are irrational animals do not attempt," (or) "because irrational," etc. The last is Sancroft's reading; that in the text, Roeper's.
- ↑ "Ascend up to" (Roeper).
- ↑ This passage is quoted by those who impugn the authorship of Origen on the ground of his never having been a bishop of the church. It is not, however, quite certain that the words refer to the episcopal office exclusively.
- ↑ The common reading is in the future, but the present tense is adopted by Richter in his Critical Observations, p. 77.
- ↑ It might be, "any opinion that may be subservient to the subject taken in hand." This is Cruice's rendering in his Latin version. A dif-
