Traduction Masquer
Reply to Faustus the Manichaean

18.

Where, then, will you find the proof required to show that it is from the Paraclete that you have learned that the Gospels were not written by the apostles? On the other hand, we have proof that the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, came immediately after the glorification of Jesus. For "He was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified." We have proof also that He leads into all truth, for the only way to truth is by love, and "the love of God," says the apostle, "is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given unto us." ¹ We show, too, that in the words, "when that which is perfect is come," Paul spoke of the perfection in the enjoyment of eternal life. For in the same place he says: "Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face." ² You cannot reasonably maintain that we see God face to face here. Therefore that which is perfect has not come to you. It is thus clear what the apostle thought on this subject. This perfection will not come to the saints till the accomplishment of what John speaks of: "Now we are the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when it shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." ³ Then we shall be led into all truth by the Holy Spirit, of which we have now received the pledge. Again, the words, "The world cannot receive Him," plainly point to those who are usually called the world in Scripture--the lovers of the world, the wicked, or carnal; of whom the apostle says: "The natural man perceiveth not the things which are of the Spirit of God." ⁴ Those are said to be of this world who can understand nothing beyond material things, which are the objects of sense in this world; as is the case with you, when, in your admiration of the sun and moon, you suppose all divine things to resemble them. Deceivers, and being deceived, you call the author of this silly theory the Paraclete. But as you have no proof of his being the Paraclete, you have no reliable ground for the statement that the Gospel writings, which you receive only in part, are not of apostolic authorship. Thus your only remaining argument is, that these writings contain things disparaging to the glory of Christ; such as, that He was born of a virgin, that He was circumcised, that the customary sacrifice was offered for Him, that He was baptized, that He was tempted of the devil.

Edition Masquer
Contra Faustum Manichaeum libri triginta tres

18.

Unde ergo probare poteritis, quod a vobis exigitur, paracletum esse illum, a quo didicistis, quod evangelica scripta non sunt apostolorum, quandoquidem etiam nos probamus non esse paracletum spiritum sanctum, nisi qui Iesu clarificato mox venit? Ideo enim nondum datus erat, quia Iesus nondum fuerat clarificatus. Probamus etiam ipsum inducere in omnem veritatem, quia non intratur in veritatem nisi per caritatem; caritas autem dei diffusa est, ait apostolus, in cordibus nostris per spiritum sanctum, qui datus est nobis. Docemus etiam non dixisse Paulum: Cum venerit quod perfectum est nisi de perfectione illa, quae in perceptione vitae aeternae futura est. Hoc enim cum loqueretur, videmus enim inquit nunc per speculum in aenigmate, tunc autem facie ad faciem. 779,11 Hic certe nisi aperte insanire volueritis, fatebimini non vos videre deum facie ad faciem. Non ergo ad vos venit illud, quod perfectum est. Hoc enim modo plane quid de hac re senserit, satis apostolus explicavit. Nec futurum est hoc sanctis, nisi cum factum fuerit, quod etiam Iohannes dicit: Filii dei sumus, et nondum apparuit, quid erimus. Scimus, quia, cum apparuerit, similes ei erimus, quoniam videbimus eum sicuti est, tunc introducente in omnem veritatem spiritu sancto, cuius nunc pignus accepimus. Quod autem dictum est: Mundus eum accipere non potest, de his utique dictum est, qui solent in scripturis mundi nomine appellari, amatores mundi vel impii vel carnales, de qualibus dicit apostolus: Animalis autem homo non percipit, quae sunt spiritus dei. p. 779,25 De hoc enim mundo esse dicuntur, quamdiu non possunt sapere amplius quam sunt ista corporea, quae in hoc mundo senserunt, sicut nec vos aliud sapitis, qui, cum lucem istam solis et lunae miraremini, talia vobis omnia divina finxistis auctore illo vaniloquo, quem decepti et deceptores paracletum dicitis. Proinde nullo modo valentes ostendere, quomodo sit ille paracletus, non est, unde doceatis firmissima aliqua auctoritate vos comperisse, quemadmodum haec scripta evangelica, ex quibus non omnia vultis accipere, non sint apostolorum Christi. Restat ergo, ut dicatis hoc vos ea ratione comperisse, quia talia ibi sunt, quae Christi gloriam decolorent, scilicet quia natus ex virgine ibi narratur, quia circumcisus, quia pro illo oblatum sacrificium, quod tunc offerebatur, quia baptizatus, quia temptatus a diabolo est. p. 780,10