XXI. This, then, is our reply to those who
would puzzle us; not given willingly indeed (for light talk and
contradictions of words are not agreeable to the faithful, and one
Adversary is enough for us), but of necessity, for the sake of our
assailants (for medicines exist because of diseases), that they may be
led to see that they are not all-wise nor invincible in those
superfluous arguments which make void the Gospel. For when we
leave off believing, and protect ourselves by mere strength of
argument, and destroy the claim which the Spirit has upon our faith by
questionings, and then our argument is not strong enough for the
importance of the subject (and this must necessarily be the case, since
it is put in motion by an organ of so little power as is our mind),
what is the result? The weakness of the argument appears to
belong to the mystery, and thus elegance of language makes void the
Cross, as Paul also thought. 1 Cor. i. 17. For faith is
that which completes our argument. But may He who proclaimeth
unions and looseth those that are bound, and who putteth into our minds
to solve the knots of their unnatural dogmas, if it may be, change
these men and make them faithful instead of rhetoricians, Christians
instead of that which they now are called. This indeed we entreat
and beg for Christ’s sake. Be ye reconciled to
God, 2 Cor. v. 20. and quench not the Spirit; 1 Thess. v. 19. or rather, may Christ be reconciled to you,
and may the Spirit enlighten you, though so late. But if you are
too fond of your quarrel, we at any rate will hold fast to the Trinity,
and by the Trinity may we be saved, remaining pure and without offence,
until the more perfect shewing forth of that which we desire, in Him,
Christ our Lord, to Whom be the glory for ever.
Amen.