Chapter XVI.—Of the Fact That, on the Subject of the Destruction of Idols, the Apostles Taught Nothing Different from What Was Taught by Christ or by the Prophets.

24. Nevertheless these persons argue still to the effect that this demolition of temples, and this condemnation of sacrifices, and this shattering of all images, are brought about, not in virtue of the doctrine of Christ Himself, but only by the hand of His apostles, who, as they contend, taught something different from what He taught. They think by this device, while honouring and lauding Christ, to tear the Christian faith in pieces. For it is at least true, that it is by the disciples of Christ that at once the works and the words of Christ have been made known, on which this Christian religion is established, with which a very few people of this character are still in antagonism, who do not now indeed openly assail it, but yet continue even in these days to utter their mutterings against it. But if they refuse to believe that Christ taught in the way indicated, let them read the prophets, who not only enjoined the complete destruction of the superstitions of idols, but also predicted that this subversion would come to pass in Christian times. And if these spoke falsely, why is their word fulfilled with so mighty a demonstration? But if they spoke truly, why is resistance offered to such divine power?70    Or, to such power in interpreting the divine mind—tantæ divinitati resistatur.

CAPUT XVI. Apostoli de subvertendis idolis nihil a Christo vel a Prophetis diversum docuerunt.

24. Verumtamen isti ita disputant, quod haec eversio templorum, et damnatio sacrificiorum, et confractio simulacrorum non per doctrinam Christi fiat, sed per discipulorum ejus, quos aliud quam ab illo didicerunt, docuisse contendunt; ita volentes christianam fidem, Christum honorantes laudantesque, convellere: quia utique per discipulos Christi et facta et dicta Christi annuntiata sunt, quibus constat religio 1053 christiana, adhuc istis jam paucissimis, nec jam oppugnantibus, sed tamen adhuc mussitantibus inimica. Sed si nolunt credere Christum talia docuisse, Prophetas legant, qui non solum superstitiones idolorum everti praeceperunt, verum etiam christianis temporibus hanc eversionem futuram praedixerunt. Qui si fefellerunt, cur tanta manifestatione completur? si verum dixerunt, cur tantae divinitati resistitur?