Chapter XLV.—Use of the Foregoing Discussions.

It appears, then, that these speculations also have been sufficiently explained by us. But since I think that I have omitted no opinion found in this earthly and grovelling Wisdom, I perceive that the solicitude expended by us on these subjects has not been useless. For we observe that our discourse has been serviceable not only for a refutation of heresies, but also in reference to those who entertain these opinions. Now these, when they encounter the extreme care evinced by us, will even be struck with admiration of our earnestness, and will not despise our industry and condemn Christians as fools when they discern the opinions to which they themselves have stupidly accorded their belief. And furthermore, those who, desirous of learning, addict themselves to the truth, will be assisted by our discourse to become, when they have learned the fundamental principles of the heresies, more intelligent not only for the easy refutation of those who have attempted to deceive them, but that also, when they have ascertained the avowed opinions of the wise men, and have been made acquainted with them, that they shall neither be confused by them as ignorant persons would, nor become the dupes of certain individuals acting as if from some authority; nay, more than this, they shall be on their guard against those that are allowing themselves to become victims to these delusions.

[45] Ἱκανῶς οὖν δοκεῖ ἡμῖν καὶ ταῦτα ἐκτεθεῖσθαι. ἀλλ' ἐπεὶ νομίζω μηδεμίαν δόξαν τῆς ἐπιγείου καὶ χαμαιπετοῦς σοφίας παραλελοιπέναι, οὐκ ἄχρηστον δὴ τὴν εἰς αὐτὰ φροντίδα ὁρῶ ἡμῖν γεγενημένην. οὐδὲ γὰρ μόνον πρὸς ἔλεγχον τῶν αἱρέσεων εὔχρηστον ὁρῶμεν γεγονέναι τὸν λόγον, ἀλλὰ καὶ πρὸς αὐτοὺς τοὺς ταῦτα δοξ(ά)ζοντας: οἳ ἐντυχόντες τῇ γεγενημένῃ ἡμῶν πολυμερι(μν)ίᾳ καὶ τὸ σπουδαῖον θαυμάσουσι καὶ τὸ φιλόπονον οὐκ ἐξουθενήσουσι καὶ μωροὺς οὐκ ἀποφανοῦνται Χριστιανοὺς ἐνιδόντες οἷς αὐτοὶ μωρῶς πιστεύουσιν. ἔτι δὲ καὶ τοὺς τῇ ἀληθείᾳ προσέχοντας φιλομαθεῖς προβιβάσει ὁ λόγος φρονιμωτέρους πρὸς τὸ εὐκόλως ἀνατρέπειν τοὺς πλανᾶν [αὐτοὺς] τετολμηκότας, μὴ μόνον τὰς τῶν αἱρέσεων μαθόντας ἀρχάς, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰς τῶν σοφῶν λεγομένας δόξας: ὧν οὐκ ἄπειροι γενόμενοι, οὔθ' ὑπ' αὐτῶν ταραχθήσονται ὡς ἀμαθεῖς, οὔθ' ὑπό τινων πλανηθήσονται ὡς δυνάμει τινὶ δρώντων, ἀλλ' ἔτι καὶ τοὺς πλανωμέ(ν)ους ἐπιτηρήσουσιν.