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| Although Writing in Latin He Proposes to Retain the Greek Names of the Valentinian Emanations of Deity. Not to Discuss the Heresy But Only to Expose It. This with the Raillery Which Its Absurdity Merits. PREVIOUS SECTION - NEXT SECTION - HELP
Chapter
VI.—Although Writing in Latin He Proposes to Retain the Greek
Names of the Valentinian Emanations of Deity. Not to Discuss the
Heresy But Only to Expose It. This with the Raillery Which Its
Absurdity Merits.
In order then, that no one may be blinded by so
many outlandish6673 names, collected
together, and adjusted at pleasure,6674 and of
doubtful import, I mean in this little work, wherein we merely
undertake to propound this (heretical) mystery, to explain in what
manner we are to use them. Now the rendering of some of these
names from the Greek so as to produce an equally obvious sense
of the word, is by no means an easy process: in the case of some
others, the genders are not suitable; while others, again, are more
familiarly known in their Greek form. For the most part, therefore, we
shall use the Greek names; their meanings will be seen on the margins
of the pages. Nor will the Greek be unaccompanied with the Latin
equivalents; only these will be marked in lines above, for the
purpose of explaining6675 the personal names,
rendered necessary by the ambiguities of such of them as admit some
different meaning. But although I must postpone all discussion, and be
content at present with the mere exposition (of the heresy), still,
wherever any scandalous feature shall seem to require a castigation, it
must be attacked6676
6676 Or
stormed perhaps; expugnatio is the word. | by all means, if
only with a passing thrust.6677
6677 Delibatione
transfunctoria. | Let the reader
regard it as the skirmish before the battle. It will be my drift to
show how to wound6678 rather than to
inflict deep gashes. If in any instance mirth be excited, this will be
quite as much as the subject deserves. There are many things which
deserve refutation in such a way as to have no gravity expended on
them. Vain and silly topics are met with especial fitness by laughter.
Even the truth may indulge in ridicule, because it is jubilant; it may
play with its enemies, because it is fearless.6679
Only we must take care that its laughter be not unseemly, and so itself
be laughed at; but wherever its mirth is decent, there it is a duty
to indulge it. And so at last I enter on my
task.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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