Translation Hide
Reply to Faustus the Manichaean

8.

It is true, some ignorantly distinguish between hanging on a tree and being crucified. So some explain this passage as referring to Judas. But how do they know whether he hung himself from wood or from stone? Faustus is right in saying that the apostle obliges us to refer the words to Christ. Such ignorant Catholics are the prey of the Manichaeans. Such they get hold of and entangle in their sophistry. Such were we when we fell into this heresy, and adhered to it. Such were we, when, not by our own strength, but by the mercy of God, we were rescued.

Edition Hide
Contra Faustum Manichaeum libri triginta tres

8.

Itaque fatemur ab imperitis dici aliud esse affigi ligno, aliud in ligno pendere. Sic enim quidam putant solvendam esse istam quaestionem, ut Iudam dicant a Moyse maledictum, qui laqueo se suspendit, quasi primum noverint, utrum ex ligno, an ex lapide se ille suspenderit. Sed verum est, quod et Faustus commemoravit, apostolum non sinere aliud intellegere quam de Christo esse praedictum. Sed talis imperitia nonnullorum catholicorum venatio Manichaeorum est; tales enim solent insectari, tales suis fallaciis irretire. p. 409,23 Tales in eos cecideramus, tales haeseramus, tales non viribus nostris, sed dei misericordia eruti sumus.