{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/003/0030267.htm","path":"chr/ecf/003/0030267.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/003/0030267.htm","text":"The Prescription Against Heretics. 1850\n[Translated by the Rev. Peter Holmes, D.D., F.R.A.S., Etc., Etc.]\nChapter I.\u2014Introductory. Heresies Must Exist, and Even Abound; They are a Probation to Faith.\nThe character of the times in which we live is such as to call forth from us even this admonition, that we ought not to be astonished at the heresies (which abound) 1851 neither ought their existence to surprise us, for it was foretold that they should come to pass; 1852 nor the fact that they subvert the faith of some, for their final cause is, by affording a trial to faith, to give it also the opportunity of being \u201capproved.\u201d 1853 Groundless, therefore, and inconsiderate is the offence of the many 1854 who are scandalized by the very fact that heresies prevail to such a degree. How great (might their offence have been) if they had not existed. 1855 When it has been determined that a thing must by all means be, it receives the (final) cause for which it has its being. This secures the power through which it exists, in such a way that it is impossible for it not to have existence.\nOf the various forms of the title of this treatise, de Pr\u00e6scriptione H\u00e6reticorum, de Pr\u00e6scriptionibus H\u00e6reticorum, de Pr\u00e6scriptionibus adversus H\u00e6reticos, the first is adopted by Oehler after the oldest authorities, such as the Liber Argobardinus and the Codex Paterniacensis (or Seletstadiensis), and the Editio Princeps of Rhenanus. The term pr\u00e6scriptio is a legal one, meaning a demurrer, or formal objection. The genitive h\u00e6reticorum is used in an objective sense, as if adversus h\u00e6reticos. Tertullian himself, in de Carne Christi, ii. says, \u201cSed plenius ejusmodi pr\u00e6scriptionibus adversus omnes h\u00e6reses alibi jam usi sumus.\u201d The title therefore means, \u201cOn the Church\u2019s Prescriptive Rule against Heresies of all kinds.\u201d [Elucidation I.]\n243:1851 243:1852\nMatt. 7:15, Matt. 24:4, 11, 24, 1 Tim. 4:1, 2 Pet. 2:1.\n243:1853 243:1854 243:1855\nThe Holy Ghost having foretold that they should exist. (Rigalt.)","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol III: Tertullian: Part II: Chapter I","type":"page"}