TERTULLIAN,[1] L. C.-" We are not allowed to indulge our own humour, nor to choose what another has invented. We have the Apostles of our Lord for founders, who were not themselves the inventors nor authors of what they have left us; but they have faithfully taught the world the doctrine, which they received from Christ.”—De Præscriptione, c. vi. p. 331. Edit. Pamelii, Rothomagi, 1662.
“Now to know, what the Apostles taught, that is, what Christ revealed to them, recourse must be had to the Churches, (S) which they founded, and which they instructed by word of mouth, and by their epistles. For it is plain, that all doctrine, which is conformable to the faith of these Mother Churches, is true, being that which they received from the Apostles; the Apostles from Christ; Christ from God; and that all other opinions must be novel and false.” 1b c. xxi. p. 334.
CENT. III.
ORIGEN,[2] G. C.-“ As there are many who think they believe what Christ taught, and some of these differ from others, it becomes necessary that all should profess that doctrine which came down from the Apostles, and now continues
- ↑ Contemporary with St. Irenæus, but who survived the latter, was Tertullian, a native and citizen of Carthage. The zeal and talents with which he defended the Christian cause, and vindicated its faith and discipline, have immortalized his name, which however has suffered by his defection to the errors of the Montanists. His genuine works are not few, written with great erudition, but of which the style, resembling the asperity of his mind, is inelegant and rude, and often intricate, though always nervous and impressive.
- ↑ He was contemporary with St. Clement of Alexandria, and many other learned men, and succeeded to him, as Catechist or teacher, in the celebrated school of that city. Few men, from a variety of causes, have left behind them a greater name, applauded and opposed, admired and persecuted. His works, as we have them, are imperfect; as written, they were almost without number. Origen died about the year 254.
