Against the Epistle of Manichæus, Called Fundamental 11
11 Manichæus Promises Truth, But Does Not Make Good His Word PL 42, 180
12. "These," he says, "are wholesome words from the perennial and living fountain; and whoever shall have heard them, and shall have first believed them, and then shall have observed the truths they set forth, shall never suffer death, but shall enjoy eternal life in glory. For he is to be judged truly blessed who has been instructed in this divine knowledge, by which he is made free and shall abide in everlasting life." And this, as you see, is a promise of truth, but not the bestowal of it. And you yourselves can easily see that any errors whatever might be dressed up in this fashion, so as under cover of a showy exterior to steal in unawares into the minds of the ignorant. Were he to say, These are pestiferous words from a poisonous fountain; and whoever shall have heard them, and shall have first believed them, and then have observed what they set forth, shall never be restored to life, but shall suffer a woful death as a criminal: for assuredly he is to be pronounced miserable who falls into this infernal error, in which he will sink so as to abide in everlasting torments;—were he to say this, he would say the truth; but instead of gaining any readers for his book, he would excite the greatest aversion in the minds of all into whose hands the book might come. Let us then pass on to what follows; nor let us be deceived by words which may be used alike by good and bad, by learned and unlearned. What, then, comes next?
13. "May the peace," he says, "of the invisible God, and the knowledge of the truth, be with the holy and beloved brethren who both believe and also yield obedience to the divine precepts." Amen, say we. For the prayer is a most amiable and commendable one. Only we must bear in mind that these words might be used by false teachers as well as by good ones. So, if he said nothing more than this, all might safely read and embrace it. Nor should I disapprove of what follows: "May also the right hand of light protect you, and deliver you from every hostile assault, and from the snares of the world." In fact, I have no fault to find with the beginning of this epistle, till we come to the main subject of it. For I wish not to spend time on minor points. Now, then, for this writer’s plain statement of what is to be expected from him.
Spiritus sanctus bis datus. Clarificatio enim Domini nostri apud homines, resurrectio est a mortuis, et in coelum ascensio. Scriptum est autem in Evangelio κατὰ Ἰωάννην: Spiritus autem nondum erat datus, quia Jesus nondum erat clarificatus . Si ergo propterea nondum erat datus, quia Jesus nondum erat clarificatus, clarificato Jesu necessario statim datus est. Et propter ipsam geminam clarificationem, secundum hominem et secundum Deum, bis etiam datus est Spiritus sanctus: semel, postquam resurrexit a mortuis, cum insufflavit in faciem discipulorum, dicens, Accipite Spiritum Sanctum . Et iterum, postquam ascendit in coelum, decem diebus transactis: qui numerus perfectionem significat; cum septenario numero, quo condita universa consistunt, additur Trinitas conditoris. De quibus rebus inter spirituales viros pie cauteque multa tractantur. Sed ego a proposito non recedam: suscepi enim prius vobiscum sic agere, ut non ego vos doceam, quod superbum fortasse arbitramini; sed tanquam ipse a vobis discere studeam, quod novem annis non potui. Quapropter habeo quibus Litteris credam de adventu Spiritus sancti, quibus me credere si prohibetis, ne temere credam quod nescio; sic enim soletis monere; multo minus vestris litteris credam. Quare, aut omnes libros auferte de medio, et disputando pandite veritatem, de qua dubitare non possim: aut tales proferte libros, quibus non mihi cum arrogantia imponatur quod credam, sed exhibeatur sine fraude quod discam. Fortasse, inquis, et haec epistola talis est. Nolo ergo in ejus limine ulterius immorari: interiora videamus.