Edition Hide
Contra Faustum Manichaeum libri triginta tres

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Faustus dixit:_ Cur legem blasphematis et prophetas?_Minime quidem nos hostes sumus aut inimici legis ac prophetarum, sed nec ullius omnino, adeo ut si modo per ipsos vos liceat, simus parati fateri falsa illa omnia esse, quae de eis scripta sunt et quorum causa videntur nobis exosi. p. 591,6 Sed enim vos repugnatis et scriptoribus assentiendo vestris in crimen forsitan prophetas innocentes adducitis, infamatis patriarchas, dedecoratis et legem atque, quod sit stultius, vultis et scriptores vestros non esse mendaces et eos tamen religiosos ac sanctos, quorum hi flagitia et turpes conscripserint vitas. Quod quia utrumque pariter constare non potest, oportet enim aut hos fuisse malos, aut illos mendaces et falsos, p. 591,14

Translation Hide
Reply to Faustus the Manichaean

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Faustus said: You ask why we blaspheme the law and the prophets. We are so far from professing or feeling any hostility to the law and the prophets, that we are ready, if you will allow us, to declare the falsehood of all the writings which make the law and the prophets appear objectionable. But this you refuse to admit, and by maintaining the authority of your writers, you bring a perhaps unmerited reproach upon the prophets; you slander the patriarchs, and dishonor the law. You are so unreasonable as to deny that your writers are false, while you uphold the piety and sanctity of those who are described in these writings as guilty of the worst crimes, and as leading wicked lives. These opinions are inconsistent; for either these were bad characters, or the writers were untruthful.