Chapter XXVI.—Conclusion to the Work Explained.
It now seems to us that the tenets of both all the
Greeks and barbarians have been sufficiently explained by us, and that
nothing has remained unrefuted either of the points about which
philosophy has been busied, or of the allegations advanced by the
heretics. And from these very explanations the condemnation of
the heretics is obvious, for having either purloined their doctrines,
or derived contributions to them from some of those tenets elaborately
worked out by the Greeks, and for having advanced (these opinions) as
if they originated from God. Since, therefore, we have hurriedly
passed through all
the systems
of these, and with much labour
have, in the nine books, proclaimed all their opinions,
and have left behind us for
all men a small viaticum in life, and to those who are our
contemporaries have afforded a desire of learning (with) great joy and
delight, we have considered it reasonable, as a crowning stroke to the
entire
work
, to introduce the discourse (already mentioned)
concerning the truth, and to furnish our delineation of this in one
book, namely the tenth.
Our object is
, that the reader,
not only when made acquainted with the overthrow of those who have
presumed to establish heresies, may regard with scorn their idle
fancies
, but also, when brought to know the power of the truth,
may be placed in the way of salvation, by reposing that faith in God
which He so worthily deserves.