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Anti-Marcion
[Translated by the Rev. Peter Holmes, D.D., F.R.A.S., Etc., Etc.]
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The 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 “approved.”[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.
Taking the similar case[1856] of fever, which is appointed a place amongst all other deadly and excruciating issues (of life) for destroying man: we are not surprised either that it exists, for there it is, or that it consumes man, for that is the purpose of its existence. In like manner, with respect to heresies, which are produced for the weakening and the extinction of faith, since we feel a dread because they have this power, we should first dread the fact of their existence; for as long as they exist, they have their power; and as long as they have their power, they have their existence. But still fever, as being an evil both in its cause[1857] and in its power, as all know, we rather loathe than wonder at, and to the best of our power guard against, not having its extirpation in our power. Some men prefer wondering at heresies, however, which bring with them eternal death and the heat of a stronger fire, for possessing this power, instead of avoiding their power when they have the means of escape: but heresies would have no power, if (men) would cease to wonder that they have such power. For it either happens that, while men wonder, they fall into a snare, or, because they are ensnared, they cherish their surprise, as if heresies were so powerful because of some truth which belonged to them. It would no doubt be a wonderful thing that evil should have any force of its own, were it not that heresies are strong in those persons who are not strong in faith. In a combat of boxers and gladiators, generally speaking, it is not because a man is strong that he gains the victory, or loses it because he is not strong, but because he who is vanquished was a man of no strength; and indeed this very conqueror, when afterwards matched against a really powerful man, actually retires crest-fallen from the contest. In precisely the same way, heresies derive such strength as they have from the infirmities of individuals—having no strength whenever they encounter a really powerful faith.
It is usual, indeed, with persons of a weaker character, to be so built up (in confidence) by certain individuals who are caught by heresy, as to topple over into ruin themselves. How comes it to pass, (they ask), that this woman or that man, who were the most faithful, the most prudent, and the most approved[1858] in the church, have gone over to the other side? Who that asks such a question does not in fact reply to it himself, to the effect that men whom heresies have been able to pervert[1859] ought never to have been esteemed prudent, or faithful, or approved? This again is, I suppose, an extraordinary thing, that one who has been approved should afterwards fall back? Saul, who was good beyond all others, is afterwards subverted by envy.[1860] David, a good man “after the Lord’s own heart,”[1861] is guilty afterwards of murder and adultery.[1862] Solomon, endowed by the Lord with all grace and wisdom, is led into idolatry, by women.[1863] For to the Son of God alone was it reserved to persevere to the last without sin.[1864] But what if a bishop, if a deacon, if a widow, if a virgin, if a doctor, if even a martyr,[1865] have fallen from the rule (of faith), will heresies on that account appear to possess[1866] the truth? Do we prove the faith[1867] by the persons, or the persons by the faith? No one is wise, no one is faithful, no one excels in dignity,[1868] but the Christian; and no one is a Christian but he who perseveres even to the end.[1869] You, as a man, know any other man from the outside appearance. You think as you see. And you see as far only as you have eyes. But says (the Scripture), “the eyes of the Lord are lofty.”[1870] “Man looketh at the outward appearance, but God looketh at the heart.”[1871] “The Lord (beholdeth and) knoweth them that are His;”[1872] and “the plant which (my heavenly Father) hath not planted, He rooteth up;”[1873] and “the first shall,” as He shows, “be last;”[1874] and He carries “His fan in His hand to purge His threshing-floor.”[1875] Let the chaff of a fickle faith fly off as much as it will at every blast of temptation, all the purer will be that heap of corn which shall be laid up in the garner of the Lord. Did not certain of the disciples turn back from the Lord Himself,[1876] when they were offended? Yet the rest did not therefore think that they must turn away from following Him,[1877] but because they knew that He was the Word of Life, and was come from God,[1878] they continued in His company to the very last, after He had gently inquired of them whether they also would go away.[1879] It is a comparatively small thing,[1880] that certain men, like Phygellus, and Hermogenes, and Philetus, and Hymenæus, deserted His apostle:[1881] the betrayer of Christ was himself one of the apostles. We are surprised at seeing His churches forsaken by some men, although the things which we suffer after the example of Christ Himself, show us to be Christians. “They went out from us,” says (St. John,) “but they were not of us. If they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us.”[1882]
But let us rather be mindful of the sayings of the Lord, and of the letters of the apostles; for they have both told us beforehand that there shall be heresies, and have given us, in anticipation, warnings to avoid them; and inasmuch as we are not alarmed because they exist, so we ought not to wonder that they are capable of doing that, on account of which they must be shunned. The Lord teaches us that many “ravening wolves shall come in sheep’s clothing.”[1883] Now, what are these sheep’s clothing’s, but the external surface of the Christian profession? Who are the ravening wolves but those deceitful senses and spirits which are lurking within to waste the flock of Christ? Who are the false prophets but deceptive predictors of the future? Who are the false apostles but the preachers of a spurious gospel?[1884] Who also are the Antichrists, both now and evermore, but the men who rebel against Christ?[1885] Heresies, at the present time, will no less rend the church by their perversion of doctrine, than will Antichrist persecute her at that day by the cruelty of his attacks,[1886] except that persecution make seven martyrs, (but) heresy only apostates. And therefore “heresies must needs be in order that they which are approved might be made manifest,”[1887] both those who remained stedfast under persecution, and those who did not wander out of their way[1888] into heresy. For the apostle does not mean[1889] that those persons should be deemed approved who exchange their creed for heresy; although they contrariously interpret his words to their own side, when he says in another passage, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good;”[1890] as if, after proving all things amiss, one might not through error make a determined choice of some evil thing.
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