Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/550



[Next, he shows the futility of arguing with men who mutilate and alter the Scriptures; but this topic does not so nearly concern us at this day: though we cannot tell what is coming upon us. He then proceeds as follows, to show that there is nothing gained in arguing from Scripture, when God has given us so clear a guide in the Rule of Faith, i. e. the Creed preserved in the Church; for, though that Rule is also contained in Scripture, and may be proved from it, yet heretics will say it cannot; whereas they cannot deny the Creed came from the Apostles.]

"But for that person, if there be such, for whose sake you descend to a comparison of Scriptures, to confirm him when in doubt, will he incline to truth, or rather to heresies? Influenced by the very fact, that he sees you have hitherto gained no ground, and stand even with your adversary in denying this point and defending that, he will undoubtedly leave this even contest in still greater uncertainty, not knowing which he is to judge to be heresy. For surely nothing can hinder them retorting upon us, if they are minded, the charges we bring against them. Nay, they must, in self-defence, say that we rather introduce corruptions of Scripture, and false expositions, inasmuch as they claim truth for themselves. Therefore I do not advise appeal to the Scriptures: it is a ground in which there can be either no victory, or a doubtful one, or one as good as doubtful. For although the comparison of Scripture did not end so as to place either party on an equality, the order of things requires that this point should be first advanced, which is now the only question: viz. To whom belongs the faith itself? Whose are the Scriptures? By whom, and through whom, and when, and to whom was that system of instruction committed, by which men are made Christians? For there, wherever the truth of Christian instruction and faith shall be proved to be, there will be the truth of the Scriptures, and of expositions, and of all Christian traditions."

[This ground of the truth is of course the Church. Tertullian does not mean to decry arguing from Scripture; he only says, it will not silence a subtle and perverse disputant; whereas the Rule of Faith must silence them, it is so clear. Again he argues, Were not the Scriptures committed to the Church?